At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape high-quality adult social care services and drive meaningful change.
- Company: Join Bracknell Forest Council, a stable and supportive workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with a focus on continuous learning and improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for quality assurance and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42500 - 47910 £ per year.
Become part of our Strategic Commissioning Team as a Quality Assurance Commissioner - Adults and help shape the delivery of high-quality adult social care services. In this permanent, full-time role, you will join a respected and experienced team, contributing to service quality and making a real difference across Adult Strategic Commissioning. At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well‑managed, where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work‑life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and working from home, dependent on the needs of the service. This role involves hybrid working arrangements, with an expectation to work from our Time Square office or in the community for around four days each week, including time spent visiting provider services.
About You
We are looking for a passionate and motivated Quality Assurance Commissioner to support the People Directorate in achieving excellent outcomes and value for money. Working predominantly from the office and within the community, you will collaborate with providers to drive service improvement and strengthen outcomes for individuals, undertaking a variety of complex and rewarding responsibilities both independently and alongside colleagues. You will be a proactive and influential communicator, with well‑developed problem‑solving and quality assessment skills. Driven by a commitment to continuous learning and improvement, you will be passionate about achieving positive outcomes for individuals.
About The Team
As part of the Commissioning Team, you will join a supportive and well‑established department, working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels to drive meaningful change. Together, we evaluate current provision, help shape future services and support the development and mobilisation of innovative solutions across the social care market. This is a team of significant strategic and commercial importance, playing a key role in shaping sustainable, high‑quality services that make a real difference.
Key responsibilities
Reporting to both the Strategic Commissioning Manager and the Senior Commissioners within the team you will:
- Take ownership of a portfolio of contracts, ensuring services are delivered in line with agreed specifications and proactively addressing any areas of underperformance, leading on the Provider Concern process.
- Have responsibility for significant high value contracts, overseeing provider improvement, change management, contract management and improvement plans.
- Draft decision and review papers that include clear options, appraisals and recommendations which demonstrate your analytical and critical thinking.
- Form strong relationships and working partnerships internally and across the market to assist in the strategic development of service and deliver value for money solutions.
- Implement improvement plans and strategies to evidence service improvement.
Our benefits
28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days. Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work‑life balance. Paid employee volunteering scheme. Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover. Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility). Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. Career development through internal and external training opportunities. Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing. Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
Our values
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process.
Disability confident and inclusive recruitment
Bracknell Forest Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive employer. This means that if you tell us on your application form that you have a disability, are an armed forces veteran or are a care leaver, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.
Interview date
Interviews will be held on 27th August 2026. Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment. We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.
Want to ask us a question?
For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact: Liz Walker, Commissioner Liz.Walker@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre‑employment checks process. We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK. Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case‑by‑case basis.
No agencies please
Equal Opportunities
Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Quality Assurance Commissioner - Adults (pay award pending) in Bracknell employer: Bracknell Forest Council
Bracknell Forest Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals facing addiction challenges. With extensive training programmes, generous leave policies, and opportunities for career development, employees can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to the well-being of the community in Bracknell. The council's commitment to employee welfare, including hybrid working options and a strong emphasis on work-life balance, makes it an attractive place for meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Assurance Commissioner - Adults (pay award pending) in Bracknell
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Bracknell Forest Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Bracknell Forest Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Bracknell Forest Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Bracknell Forest Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Assurance Commissioner - Adults (pay award pending) in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Bracknell Forest Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bracknell Forest Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bracknell Forest Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.