Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend. Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference. Southend City Council are looking to appoint a full-time Senior Fostering Placements Officer to join the fostering service in a 12-month fixed term capacity. Within this post you will manage, process and update the internal system, make payments to Foster/Kinship Carers, update/set up Children/Young people’s placements and update/process children looked after (CLA) notifications. Working alongside Social Workers, Supervising Social Workers and Foster carers, you will be required to take a lead role in the day-to-day matching of in-house foster placement vacancies. Identifying and co-ordinating foster placements for children and young people who need to be looked after by the Local Authority, these placements may be short term, long term, respite care or parent and child placements. Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week. To be successful in this position, you must be educated to degree level and have previous experience within children social care and fostering services. You will need to have knowledge of the issues affecting Children Looked After (CLA) and the challenges facing them within the social care system. Have awareness of the expectations and challenges that foster carers face in providing care for vulnerable children, along with knowledge of relevant fostering legislation and regulations, which underpin fostering agencies. This is not a case holding post When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab. If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. If you would like a copy of the Job Description Click here If you are wanting further information that isn't in the JD, please contact Nathalie Nathalie.shays.com Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check. The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.