Job Description

Description

The Brokerage Officer — Accommodation will be primarily responsible for finding cost-effective and timely services for sourcing placements across all accommodation-based services, including care homes and supported living. You will work with the social care teams to achieve good outcomes, source placements that are value for money, and develop good working relationships with providers to contribute to managing the market.

Responsibilities

Work with the relevant teams to commission accommodation and related support services to meet the placement needs of homeless 16/17-year-olds, Children Looked After (children in the local authority's care), and Care Leavers.

Qualification – Essential

* GCSE Grade (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics.

* Relevant professional level qualification or relevant experience

* Advanced – Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, social media, and CRM.

Qualifications, Knowledge, & Experience Requirements—Criteria to be Tested at Shortlisting.

* Commissioning, purchasing and contracting experience, including with care leavers and 16/17 homeless young people.

* Experience working in Children’s Services.

* Detailed knowledge and expertise in Children’s and Adult commissioning, including Housing and welfare benefits legislation and reciprocal arrangements.

* The ability to plan work under pressure and use initiative to organise and prioritise workloads to deadlines.

* Displays an awareness, understanding and commitment to protecting and safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

* Experience in assessing and analysing risk and managing plans to safeguard children.

* Knowledge of all relevant legislation and guidance concerning 16/17 homeless young people, children looked after, care leavers, and vulnerable adults.

* Able to establish effective working partnerships internally and with external landlords and accommodation providers.

* Ability to prioritise, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines without supervision.

* A good understanding of the issues relating to homelessness and a good knowledge of the Welfare Benefit system.

* Proven track record of negotiating with providers to meet cost and quality objectives in commissioning services.

* High degree of self-motivation and autonomy; ability to prioritise and work under pressure in meeting tight deadlines and within financial constraints.

* The ability to deliver the business aims of the service in terms of ensuring value for money (cost, quality and outcomes)

* Able to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing with good attention to detail.

* Considerable experience in contract management and monitoring to inform service improvements

* Knowledge and experience in sourcing accommodation and placement options for young people leaving custody remanded to the local authority's care and known to Youth Offending Services.

Essential Compliance Requirements

* Five Years of Reference

* Enhanced DBS & barred list check (Child & adult)

* A pre-engagement screening is mandatory for this role. Please be prepared for this additional step in the application process.

Diamond Blaque Group, a leading public sector provider, is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. Our organisation is deeply committed to fostering an environment of equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace