Placement Officer

Overview

Bath & North East Somerset Council is looking for an experienced, proactive Placement Officer to join its SEND team. The council’s goal is to improve people’s lives, and this post plays an important part in helping children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities access the right support and placements.

Role summary

In this key position, you will bring together brokerage and commissioning support to make sure placement decisions for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are informed by evidence, completed quickly, and help families achieve better outcomes.

You will collaborate with families, providers, schools and other professionals across agencies to secure suitable educational placements and support improved life chances for children and young people with SEND.

Working arrangement

The role is based at Keynsham Civic Centre and involves work across the local area, including travel to other counties. Most of your week will be spent at the Civic Centre and visiting settings.

Core duties

• Coordinate and manage placement activity for children and young people.
• Assess individual needs and translate those needs into suitable placement options.
• Carry out market and gap analysis to support service planning.
• Provide commissioning support to strengthen placement decisions and provision.
• Manage a caseload effectively and keep work organised and timely.
• Support panel processes, including coordination and reporting.
• Work closely with colleagues and partner agencies to deliver joined-up support.

Selection criteria

To be shortlisted, your CV and cover letter must clearly show:

• Relevant experience in education, social care, health services or local authority settings. Personal or voluntary experience may also be considered.
• The ability to work flexibly, remain effective under pressure, stay resilient and focus on solutions when challenges arise.
• Evidence that you can make decisions about children and young people based on sound assessment of need and careful review of available options.

Additional information

If you would like more details or an informal conversation about the role, you can contact Laura Donnelly, Head of SEND, on 01225 477105 or by email at laura_donnelly@bathnes.gov.uk.

Interview date: TBC.

No agencies please.

The council gives prior consideration to staff on its at-risk register (redeployees). If a redeployee meets the essential criteria, they will be considered before external candidates.

This vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if there is strong interest, so early application is advised.

About the council

Bath & North East Somerset Council offers the chance to contribute to the community and make a positive difference to residents. The organisation is committed to delivering public services with care, strong values and a focus on the best outcomes for local people.

The council also promotes diversity and inclusion, welcomes applications from a wide range of backgrounds, supports equality and disability inclusion, and considers job-share, part-time and flexible working where business needs allow.

Checks and safeguarding

This post requires an Enhanced DBS check.

The council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable groups, and expects all employees and volunteers to share that commitment. Anyone in a role involving children or vulnerable groups will need an Enhanced DBS check, with or without barred list checks.

Benefits

The council offers a broad benefits package to support fair pay, work-life balance and employee wellbeing.