Safeguarding & Family Support – Children’s Services

Location: London Borough of Islington

Hours: 35 per week (09:00–17:00)

Contract: 09/03/2026 – 01/06/2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Placement Officer to join the Placements Service within Safeguarding and Family Support under Children’s Services.

The service is responsible for the commissioning and coordination of placements for children and young people aged 1 day to 25 years, ensuring safe, appropriate, and high-quality arrangements that promote positive outcomes.

• Assess children and young people’s placement needs and match these to suitable services
• Provide constructive challenge to frontline practitioners to ensure care planning informs placement commissioning
• Deliver a customer-focused duty service, offering advice and guidance on matching needs to services
• Quality assure information to ensure appropriate matches between children and providers
• Offer commissioning advice at care and placement-focused meetings
• Review placements that fall below Ofsted regulatory standards or where significant events have been notified
• Monitor contracted provision in line with relevant regulations, policies, and practice guidance

• Professional qualification in Social Work (Diploma in Social Work, BA/BSc/MA in Social Work, CQSW) as required by Social Work England
• Experience developing and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with private and public sector organisations, community/customer groups, and other stakeholders
• Ability to use professional judgement to assess needs while balancing risk to individuals, staff, and carers
• Strong knowledge and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues
• Excellent case recording, report writing, and letter writing skills