Placement Coordinator - Working for Essex

About the role

Placement Coordinator

Fixed Term, Full Time

£25,081 to £27,653 per annum

Location: Colchester

The Placement Coordinator will source and arrange the most cost-effective Placements, Support Services and Support Packages that deliver the specified requirements to adults at best value to Essex County Council (ECC). Ensuring that all requests for a service or support package identified by Adults, Health and Community Wellbeing teams are placed adhering to service specification standards.

The role requires the ability to work in a high-pressured environment, and have an understanding the care market, relevant contracts and the needs of the Adult and carers.

This role has a rolling rota to cover core working hours - Monday-Friday, 09:00-18:30 and Saturday, 10:00-16:00 - 37 hours per week.

Role responsibilities:

Responsible for sourcing placements for Adults, in line with current ECC purchasing procedures and contractual arrangements, to ensure the efficient use of pre-contracted and approved providers.
Maintain a current understanding of the care market, including capacity issues, providing the necessary information and evidence to enable Commercial colleagues to maintain market intelligence and inform development.
Identify and respond to urgent or critical situations referred by Operational Teams by liaising with providers, professionals and the adult/their representative/s to find a solution appropriate to the needs of the adult. Negotiate ‘Best Value’ spot purchases for support where the need cannot be met through existing framework/block contracts.
Work collaboratively with operational teams to support requests to meet the adult’s needs within the market environment.
Support the Placement Team Managers to develop and maintain successful working relationships with internal and external partners, to investigate and respond to complaints and enquiries, and the design and implementation of new systems and processes, in line with the ECC digital agenda.
Provide a specialised brokerage service to adults and their families both for self-funders and those adults referred for local community services, to meet Good Lives outcomes.
Responsible for ensuring adults and their representatives are fully informed and supported through the sourcing process through professional communication, sometimes in challenging circumstances.
Responsible for ensuring purchase order agreements on TCS or the Mosaic Social Care Management System are processed accurately to enable prompt payment of providers and maintaining up-to-date records in relation to sourcing activity.
Maintain a good knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and be confident in the process to escalate provider concerns or safeguards or hand backs.

About You

RQF level 3 (A level) or working towards an NVQ 3 in Customer Care or equivalent by experience.
Evidence of continuing professional development and knowledge in relevant professional area.
Experience of working within a complex business environment, with knowledge and understanding of contracts is desirable.
Detailed knowledge and working experience of IT systems including Microsoft Word and Excel and database systems.
Able to demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of the main principles of the Care Act and other relevant social care.
Knowledge of requirements of Caldicott, Data Protection and Freedom of Information.
Experience of working under pressure and working flexibly.

To read more about us please visit: https://www.workingforessex.com/role/adult-social-care/

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email Sandra.middleton@essex.gov.uk

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