Placement Brokerage Officer

Placement Brokerage Officer (Childrens Brokerage & Specialist Placements) 6 months fixed term contract Maternity Cover

PO2: 43542 pa rising in annual increments to 46437 pa incl LW

Hybrid Working / 3 days a week in office (minimal traveling may be required)

About Lambeth Children Services

Lambeth is a borough of huge diversity strength and possibility. Lambeth is home to approximately 63000 children aged 018 representing nearly 20% of our boroughs population. Our Lambeth partnerships have the highest ambitions for our children and want them to grow up to be happy safe and thriving in supportive communities. We have a rich network of good and outstanding schools a passionate voluntary community sector and an exciting youth and play offer. Children growing up in Lambeth are surrounded by beautiful green spaces and a borough with a rich history arts and music scene.

Despite this our children also face challenges and adversity. There are several health and wellbeing indicators that are higher in Lambeth than other boroughs including children in need due to parent disability first time entrants to youth justice system and children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. We have significant demand for mental health and emotional wellbeing provision and have critical challenges regarding placement sufficiency for our Children Looked After. Lambeth is the fifth most densely populated borough in the UK with sharp contrasts between wealth and poverty. It is estimated that 27% of our children and young people are living in poverty rising to 43% when housing costs are factored in; we know Covid19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges for many families in Lambeth and created a new set of problems for others.

Its an incredibly exciting time to come and work in Lambeth. Theres plenty to get your teeth into be it leading the implementation of our strategy for youth services overseeing the transformation of our emotional health and wellbeing provision or presiding over the development of a new team delivering efficient brokerage for our teams.

Were passionate about integration of services and teams across education health and social care to ensure our population can access services that are joinedup and seamless. All of these roles play very important roles in partnership development with internal and external stakeholders.

A message from The Assistant Director

Youll be joining highperforming passionate and diverse teams of individuals who are dedicated to reducing inequality and improving outcomes for our residents. You must have exceptional customer service client relations and problemsolving skills. An indepth understanding of local authoritys payment systems and platforms would be an advantage. We anticipate that youve had experience in complaint handling.

The successful applicant shall build effective working relationships with key suppliers and the wider market working with accounts payable to to shape and develop innovation in processing and payment of suppliers invoices promptly and efficiently.

About You

We are looking for a dynamic and committed Placement Brokerage Officer to play a crucial role in securing stable and appropriate placements for children looked after (aged 018) supported accommodation for young people aged 16 and settled housing solutions for care leavers often within challenging timeframes.

In this role you will work closely with colleagues across Childrens Services Housing and external providers to deliver highquality wellmatched placements and accommodation. Youll be instrumental in ensuring that all resources are used effectively in line with Lambeths priorities and financial regulations and that expenditure is accurately monitored and remains within budget.

Were seeking someone with a genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people. Youll bring energy innovation and a creative approach to shaping and improving our placement commissioning processes. Leading and supporting a team you will help drive service improvements and ensure our work remains childcentred and outcomefocused.

Key requirements:

• A strong commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children and care leavers

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

• Proven ability to build effective working relationships with internal teams and external partners

• Good understanding of financial systems and controls

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word Excel Outlook and PowerPoint)

• Flexibility to occasionally work outside of standard office hours to meet service needs

Please note:

Due to the timesensitive nature of this role only applicants living within a onehour commute of our office will be considered.

We require a flexible and dedicated professional who can adapt to the evolving demands of the service.

Join us and be part of a team that is making a real difference in the lives of children and young people in Lambeth!

If you have any queries in relation to this job vacancy please contact the Service Manager : Adina Demle

Why Lambeth

• Fantastic modern working environment in the awardwinning Lambeth Town Hall and Civic Centre buildings
• Competitive Salaries
• Up to 35 days annual leave dependent upon continuous service
• 5 Minutes from London Underground and excellent transport links into the centre of London
• Hybrid/Flexible working
• Cycle to Work Scheme (including City Bike Hire scheme)
• Attractive Local Government Pension Scheme

We are a Stonewall diversity champion; a Living Wage Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role. Please clickherefor a full list of our accreditations.

Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information about the DBS can be found at will also be required to undertake a Cifas check. Further information about Cifas can be found hereCifas

Please note we operate an anonymised application process. When uploading your Supporting Statement please used the Cover Letter link and remove your personal details. Please also upload a current copy of your CV.

Interested click on the apply button and complete an online application and upload your Supporting Statement evidencing how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an A along with uploading your CV.

JD and Person Specification

You must upload a Supporting Statement and CV for your application to be considered.

We actively support applications from Lambeth Care Leavers

Please note this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive an overwhelming response

Closing Date: 25th May at midnight

Interviews Date: W/C 26th May

Lambeth aims for quality services and equal opportunities for all and is committed to safer recruitment