Interim Children’s Commissioning Officer Short Breaks

Senior Commissioning Officer – Children’s Services
Local Authority South of England
£300 p/day (inside IR35/Umbrella)
Full-time (37 hours p/w)
Hybrid working (office & remote)

CVs are being reviewed immediately, and interviews will be scheduled shortly.

Reporting into the Children’s Commissioning Team Manager, you will be responsible for leading commissioning activity to deliver improved outcomes for children and young people. With a particular focus on Short Breaks for children with SEND and the Advocacy and Independent Visiting Service, you will manage the end-to-end commissioning cycle, including a full re-tender exercise.

Your role as Senior Commissioning Officer:
• Contribute to the joint commissioning agenda to improve delivery and outcomes of services for children and young people.
• Lead the re-tendering of Short Breaks provision, ensuring robust project management and board-level reporting.
• This is a key role within the Council’s Children’s Commissioning Team, offering the opportunity to make a significant impact on services for children and families, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money.
• Overhaul and co-develop the Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service at pace, managing the full re-tender exercise.
• Support whole-system change by working collaboratively and co-productively with partners, children, young people, and families.
• Ensure commissioning activity is underpinned by best practice in financial management, performance monitoring, and system improvement.

Your previous experience as Senior Commissioning Officer:
• Strong knowledge of key national issues and programmes relevant to children’s services.
• Proven experience commissioning and implementing Short Breaks provision.
• Skilled in needs assessment, performance management, and monitoring/reporting for commissioned services.
• Experienced in service development, options appraisal, and system change, using programme and financial management skills.
• Demonstrable ability to deliver projects at pace with measurable impact.

If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who may be suitable, please contact Lucy Connick on 0117 313 7110 or apply today. (We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation, so please do get in contact.) Our clients are committed to creating and evolving a diverse workforce and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant. Recruiting decisions are based on experience and skills. Any reasonable adjustments will be fully supported during the application and hiring process.

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