Placements Officer (Grade H)

To support the recruitment, engagement and retention of in-house foster carers, while also ensuring effective placement matching and sufficiency for children and young people in care.

The postholder will play a central role in strengthening foster carer support systems, coordinating engagement initiatives, and identifying suitable placements that promote stability, safety and positive outcomes for children and young people.

Act as a key point of contact for in-house foster carers, promoting positive working relationships and ongoing engagement. Coordinate and organise foster carer activities, appreciation events, training-linked engagement sessions and recognition initiatives. Plan, facilitate and support foster carer support groups in collaboration with supervising social workers. Design, distribute and analyse surveys and feedback mechanisms to inform service improvement and strengthen retention. Maintain and operate systems to monitor foster carer availability, capacity, engagement and support needs. Support the development of peer networks and buddy systems for new and existing carers. Work proactively with supervising social workers and managers to identify carers who may require additional support to prevent deregistration. Contribute to strategies that improve foster carer satisfaction, stability and long-term retention.