Service Manager Placements

Service Manager Children’s Placements
Yorkshire
Hybrid (initial 3 days onsite) · Full-time position
Initial interim 3–6‑month contract
£400 – £450 per day (umbrella) Start: ASAP
 
Interviews will be held within the week, so get in touch and apply ASAP.
An exciting new opportunity has arisen for an experienced Service Manager to lead the Placement Support Service covering long‑term sickness leave.
Central to this role will be ensuring high‑quality, timely placement arrangements for children and young people, driving service improvements, and embedding best practice across placement decision-making.

About your role as Service Manager – Children’s Placements

• Provide operational leadership to the Placement Support Service, ensuring all children and young people receive suitable, needs‑led placements in a timely manner.
• Ensure all placements are sourced in line with commissioning and quality assurance frameworks.
• Offer specialist advice to staff on securing appropriate placements for CYP, including those with complex needs.
• Develop, review, and maintain robust systems and processes for placement oversight and decision-making.
• Lead the early identification and remediation of placements at risk of breakdown to promote stability.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Commissioning, Procurement, Health, Housing and Education to ensure joint planning that meets holistic needs.
• Support delivery of the Placement and Sufficiency Strategy, identifying resources, partnerships, and funding opportunities.
• Maintain strong relationships with providers, ensuring services are needs-led, outcome-focused and represent best value.
• Represent the Trust at regional commissioning forums to support system-wide efficiencies.
• Provide strong leadership to the team, promoting high expectations, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Manage service budgets in line with organisational financial frameworks.

 
Your required experience as Service Manager Children’s Placements

• Minimum 2 years’ management experience at Manager level or above within placement, commissioning, corporate parenting or related services.
• A qualification in Social Work, or substantial experience in fields supporting children in care at risk of placement breakdown.
• Demonstrable knowledge of placement and brokerage services, commissioning, procurement and sufficiency planning.
• Strong ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, from children and families to senior leaders.
• Experience delivering services in a fast‑paced, high‑expectation environment.
• Proven ability to apply high‑level analytical, negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience in budget management, data systems, quality assurance and performance frameworks.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
• DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain).

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