The Placement Service primarily undertakes placement finding for children who are in foster care, residential care, and semi-independent placements. The Placement Service comprises of a Post 16 and UASC team, an Under 16 and Residential team, a Reunification Team, and the newly established Placement Stability and Support team. The Placement Service works closely with key partners across the city, as well as external agencies to support the positive matching of children and young people to the most appropriate available placements. The Placement teams provide a fundamental role in supporting young people’s placements through multi-agency working and provision of services, as well as ensuring advice and support is provided to social workers, carers and families.

The national Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and the government response to this review and implementation of its recommendations – the ‘Stable Homes Built on Love’ strategy and consultation, along with Leeds’s financial challenge, mean that now more than ever Leeds Children’s Social Work Service is committed to increasing placement stability for children and young people. We work collaboratively with children’s social work and fostering teams, to promote placement stability and reduce placement breakdowns. Our aim is to ensure that all Children that are Looked After can experience a safe and secure home, ideally within Leeds.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Placement Stability and Support Team as the team Social Worker, along with Placement Support workers and the Team Manager. This is a brand-new team within the Placement Service. We are looking for candidates who have a proactive and creative approach to supporting children Looked After, and who are passionate about preventing placement instability and breakdown.

You will be experienced in needs assessments and placement support, you will be proficient at finding time specific, dynamic, and creative solutions. Possession of a full current driving licence is essential, as you will be required to travel around the city. Experience of using Formulation as a placement support tool would be advantageous. The successful candidate will play a significant role in the development of the team, and establishing positive working relationships with a range of other agencies and professionals.

 If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Placement Stability and Support Team Manager Christina Stevenson on 07712216140/ 0113 3783453 (christina.stevenson@leeds.gov.uk)  or Service Delivery Manager Emily Spink on 0113 3784008 (emily.spink@leeds.gov.uk).