Brighter Fostering
Placement & Engagement Officer
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Placement & Engagement Officer
The Placement & Engagement Officer will hold primary responsibility for the coordination and progression of foster care placements, ensuring timely, well-matched, and stable placements in partnership with local authorities and internal stakeholders. The post-holder will lead on placement activity across the service, ensuring that all approved foster carers are actively considered for placements and that vacancies are minimised through proactive engagement with local authority placement teams. In addition, the role will take a lead in developing and producing social media marketing content to promote fostering through Brighter Fostering’s platforms, while supporting recruitment and community engagement activity to contribute to the agency’s growth. The post-holder will also take responsibility for maintaining high standards of data accuracy, record-keeping, and GDPR compliance across the organisation. All work must meet the requirements of the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011/2013 and the National Minimum Standards (2011).
Post-Holder Expectations
- Work flexibly across placement, recruitment support, and compliance functions
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times
- Uphold the values and policies of Brighter Fostering
- Comply with safeguarding, health and safety, equality, and data protection policies
- Attend regular supervision and training as required
- All work must meet the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011/2013 and the National Minimum Standards (2011).
Core Responsibilities
1. Placement Coordination & Matching (Primary Function)
- Receive, review, and coordinate all placement referrals from local authorities
- Liaise with Supervising Social Workers, management, and foster carers to assess suitability of placements
- Support matching processes, ensuring all relevant information, including risk assessments, is considered
- Maintain up-to-date foster carer profiles and vacancy lists for circulation to local authorities
- Act as a key point of contact for local authority placement teams, maintaining professional and responsive communication
- Coordinate pre-placement planning and placement logistics
- Ensure placement planning meetings are arranged and supported within required timescales (e.g., within 5 working days)
- Prepare and maintain accurate matching documentation and placement records on CHARMS and digital systems
- Monitor placement activity to ensure that all available foster carers are actively considered for placement opportunities
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2. Placement Performance & Service Capacity
- Prepare and keep up-to-date foster carer profiles to be sent to local authority
- Proactively monitor carer availability and vacancies across the service
- Ensure that all approved foster carers are actively promoted to local authorities for placement opportunities
- Escalate risks relating to unfilled vacancies or placement gaps to the Service Development Manager
- Work strategically to minimise vacancy periods and maximise placement stability
- Ensure all Brighter Fostering Trackers are up to date.
3. Recruitment & Community Engagement (Support Function)
- Support the Foster Carer Recruitment & Community Engagement Officer in delivering recruitment campaigns and initiatives
- Attend fostering events, information sessions, and community outreach activities as required
- Engage with prospective foster carers at events and during initial enquiries
- Conduct initial screening calls with prospective applicants, providing clear and accurate information
- Identify and share potential leads with the recruitment function for progression
- Support follow-up activity where appropriate to maintain engagement
4. Administrative, Compliance & System Management
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on CHARMS and associated digital systems
- Support statutory and non-statutory checks (e.g., DBS, references, medicals) in collaboration with the wider team
- Contribute to the maintenance of trackers relating to foster carers, placements, and compliance requirements
- Support panel administration where required, including preparation of documents and tracking outcomes
- Ensure all records meet regulatory and organisational standards
- Undertake routine quality assurance checks on records and documentation
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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Placement Performance
- All approved foster carers are actively considered for placements at all times
- Minimise vacancy periods across the service
- Timely response to placement referrals (same day or within agreed service standard)
- Placement planning meetings coordinated within required timescales
Service Capacity
- Maintain up-to-date vacancy lists and carer profiles for circulation to local authorities
- Evidence of proactive engagement with placement teams to secure placements
Recruitment Support
- Active contribution to recruitment events and campaigns
- Identification and progression of potential fostering leads
- Contribution to generating enquiries when service capacity allows
Qualifications & Experience
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GCSEs in English and Maths or equivalent (essential)
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Further education (A-Levels, NVQ Level 3/4, Diploma or Degree) (essential)
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Strong administrative and IT skills including use of Microsoft Office (essential)
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Excellent communication and organisational skills (essential)
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Experience in placement coordination or working with local authority placement teams (desirable)
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Knowledge of safeguarding, fostering regulations, and statutory checks (desirable)
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Experience of working with children’s services or voluntary/community organisations (desirable)
Key Competencies
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Organisational and time management skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- High attention to detail and accuracy
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