Home Finding and Quality Assurance Officer

• Home_Finding__QA_Officer_Job_Description

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

We have an excellent new opportunity available for a Home Finding Officer to join our dedicated Children’s Services Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis.

As the Home Finding Officer, you will play a pivotal role in sourcing and brokering placements for children we care for, care leavers and children with SEND, ensuring high-quality, value-for-money provision that meets individual needs. This includes a range of placement types such as residential care, independent fostering agency (IFA) placements, parent and child placements, supported accommodation, and specialist education settings for children with SEND.

This role is part of the new dedicated Home Finding and Placements team, focused solely on supporting children and young people. This new, specialist service brings sharper focus, enhanced expertise, and personalised support to every child’s journey. Previously part of a combined adults and children’s service, the creation of this standalone team marks an exciting step forward, enabling us to design a truly child-centred approach from the ground up.

As part of this transformation, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate across Children’s Services, deepen your knowledge of children’s social care and education, and play a key role in shaping a service that makes a real difference in young lives. It’s a fantastic opportunity to be part of something meaningful!

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days (rising to 33 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays

⭐ An excellent local government pension scheme

⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

⭐ A range of local & lifestyle discounts

⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

⭐ And much more

Key responsibilities:

• Source and match placements for children we care for and care leavers, including emergency,
  short-term, and long-term options.
• Identify and commission independent and non-maintained special schools for children with
  SEND and alternative provision.
• Develop good professional relationships with local and regional providers to maximise local
  placement options.
• Utilise the quality assurance framework to monitor placement quality, outcomes, and
  This will also involve on site Quality Assurance visits with Providers
• Maintenance of comprehensive contracts register for all placements and service contracts.
• Carry out due diligence and quality assurance on all providers prior to placement decisions.

Candidate requirements:

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent.
• Experience of working in commissioning or delivery of support tasks (e/g/ monitoring quality, performance or evaluating costs).
• Experience in commissioning, placement sourcing, or contract management within children’s
• Good negotiation and relationship building skills
• Good communication skills with ability to negotiate.
• Good planning and organisational skills, and ability to manage own workloads to achieve desired
• Good problem-solving skills.

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!

Alternatively, to find out more or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact Carey Tulloch carey.tulloch@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 9th November 2025, 11pm

Interview Date: Week of 17th November 2025, times tbc

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We cannot stop anyone using AI to help write application content. Used right it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.