At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of support for children in care and improve their outcomes.
- Company: Join Barnsley Council’s Children’s Services, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Collaborative environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Other info: Opportunity to drive meaningful change and build strong partnerships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives and shape a compassionate system.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning or social care with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Transform how we support children in care. Lead the system. Shape the market. Deliver better outcomes. This is a leadership role within Barnsley Council’s Children’s Services, focusing on commissioning and social care to ensure children in our care experience stability, quality and belonging. This is a role where relationships matter and your leadership will influence not just systems and processes, but the lived experiences of children every day.
Responsibilities
- Overseeing children in care placements – ensuring robust systems are in place to secure high-quality, stable homes that meet children’s needs
- Driving effective commissioning and contracting – leading strategic procurement and contract management to secure value, quality and positive outcomes
- Lead and improve how we find homes for children – working across teams to create more responsive, effective and compassionate home-finding processes
- Shaping and influencing the provider market – ensuring a diverse, sustainable and high-quality local market that can meet current and future demand
- Monitoring provider effectiveness – using data, intelligence and relationships to continuously improve provider performance and outcomes for children
- Leading on budget oversight and value for money – influencing significant spend and ensuring resources are used effectively to deliver the best outcomes
- Driving system-wide improvement – developing and embedding better processes, governance and partnership working across services
- Bringing people together – working across commissioning and social care to break down silos and create a more joined-up system that works for children
- Lead strategic procurement activity and partnership arrangements, ensuring strong governance and delivering best value across the system
Who We’re Looking For
- Is deeply committed to improving the lives of children in care
- Brings experience from commissioning, procurement, or children’s social care, with a strong understanding of placements
- Leads with empathy, integrity and purpose
- Can bring people together, building strong partnerships across services and with providers
- Is confident in driving improvement and managing complexity, with the resilience to lead change
- Understands the importance of quality, value and sustainability in delivering better outcomes
- Is motivated by doing things differently and doing them better
Why Join Us
- Committed to putting children and young people first
- Ambitious about improving outcomes and transforming services
- Supportive, collaborative, and driven by shared values
- Focused on innovation, learning and continuous improvement
Most importantly, you’ll be in a role where you can: make a real and lasting difference to children’s lives; help shape a system that is more responsive, compassionate and effective; lead work that truly matters — every single day.
Additional Information
- Closing date: 26/06/2026 at 23:59
- This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check.
- If you are currently living overseas or have lived overseas in the last five years, you may be required to apply for an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in if you are the preferred candidate.
- When applying, be prepared to start work with all necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa.
- The organisation does not sponsor visas for skilled or temporary migrant workers.
- Pensions regulations may affect pension entitlements if you return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension, seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.
- We welcome applicants with past convictions.
- CVs are not accepted for this role.
- For more information about the role and the application process, please view the job profile and related documents.
Strategic Lead - Children in Care Commissioning in Barnsley employer: Barnsley Council
Barnsley Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the lives of children in care through innovative leadership and collaborative partnerships. With a strong focus on employee growth, our supportive work culture encourages continuous improvement and values the contributions of every team member, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in a role where your efforts will directly enhance the stability and quality of care for vulnerable children, all while working in a dynamic environment committed to shared values and ambitious outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Lead - Children in Care Commissioning in Barnsley
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like Barnsley Council, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like Barnsley Council and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
✨Stay Updated with Government Initiatives
Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Lead - Children in Care Commissioning in Barnsley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Barnsley Council and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnsley Council
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Barnsley Council, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Barnsley Council.
