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- Tasks: Lead the strategic commissioning of services for children and young people with SEND.
- Company: Cheshire West and Chester Council, dedicated to excellent Adult Social Care services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, work-life balance, and commitment to equality and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable residents while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning, project management, and stakeholder engagement required.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Here at Cheshire West and Chester Council, we are committed to providing excellent Adult Social Care services to residents. We are one team, putting what matters to people first and are investing in a number of roles across our service areas to grow our dynamic, solution-focused team. If you want to be a part of our welcoming, values-driven service and are passionate about being part of a team that can make a real difference for local people, please take a look at the roles we have available.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is setting the pace and creating a blueprint for a whole new kind of local authority. We have quickly established a reputation for doing things differently and breaking the mould. The Strategic Commissioning and Market Management team is responsible for commissioning a wide and varied range of high-quality, best value services within the People’s Directorate across the Cheshire West Place that meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable residents.
Our approach to commissioning – Enabling Great Lives! Our vision is for people to live great lives. People will live healthy, happy and independent lives, in the place they call home and with the people they love because we will commission services which are based on what people want to enable them to live a full and independent life. For children and young people, this means ensuring they are enabled to have the best start in life with access to services which support a safe and healthy childhood and work seamlessly when moving to adulthood.
The team has a challenging programme of recommissioning planned for the next years. The Strategic Commissioning Programme Manager – SEN is a new role and will provide the successful postholder with an exciting opportunity to develop, plan and deliver a sufficiency plan for our children and young people with SEND; oversee the strategic commissioning of services, including education places, quality assurance and contract management processes for SEN places to ensure a child-centred process and value for money is achieved for the council.
We are looking for an experienced, capable, dynamic and solution-focused Commissioning Manager to lead and manage the delivery of high-quality commissioning outcomes. The Commissioning Manager will work closely with the senior leadership team across the directorate, corporate colleagues, elected members, and key stakeholders, including people who use our services and their carers, to deliver agreed commissioning priorities.
This role requires a candidate with a significant level of knowledge, skills, and experience in the subject area. Immediate priorities over the next months include:
- Develop a sufficiency plan outlining the services required for the next years to enable our children and young people with SEND to access appropriate services to meet their needs within their local community.
- Deliver recommendations from the sufficiency plan and monitor progress.
- Undertake the strategic commissioning of services to support the education of children with SEND.
- Develop and implement processes to review educational places provided by the independent sector.
- Develop a brokerage function to ensure the most appropriate placements are sourced for children and young people with SEND.
- Integrated commissioning opportunities with health partners and other key stakeholders.
Applicants should be experienced in engaging with residents, providers, and key stakeholders to co-produce high-quality commissioning strategies. Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate considerable experience in project management and the application of all elements of the commissioning cycle, including demand analysis, market shaping, embedding best practice and legislative requirements into service design. A good understanding of procurement and contract management processes is essential.
The post holder will also be expected to work collaboratively with strategic partners as appropriate (including the NHS) to ensure quality and value for money is achieved in all commissioning strategies. The direct line management of staff will be required for this role.
The postholder may also be expected to work across any portfolio of commissioning (where required - based on the needs of the service), in order to address the wider strategies and priorities across the team, this may include areas such as (but not exclusively):
- Adult Learning Disability and Autism
- Ageing Well
- Children and Young People’s services
- Public Health services
- Early Intervention and Prevention
Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment.
Strategic Commissioning Programme Manager - SEN in Ellesmere Port employer: Cheshire West and Chester Council
Contact Detail:
Cheshire West and Chester Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Commissioning Programme Manager - SEN in Ellesmere Port
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team at Cheshire West and Chester Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Commissioning Programme Manager - SEN in Ellesmere Port
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Strategic Commissioning Programme Manager role. Highlight your knowledge in commissioning services for children and young people with SEND, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: We want to see your experience in project management and the commissioning cycle. Use examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders and delivered high-quality outcomes. This is your chance to shine!
Be Person-Centred: Remember, our focus is on enabling great lives for residents. When writing your application, emphasise your commitment to a child-centred approach and how you've previously ensured services meet the needs of vulnerable individuals. We love seeing candidates who share our values!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at Cheshire West and Chester Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cheshire West and Chester Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of strategic commissioning, especially in relation to SEND services. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your project management skills and experience in commissioning. Highlight any successful strategies you've implemented, particularly those that involved collaboration with stakeholders or improving service delivery for vulnerable groups.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Values
Cheshire West and Chester Council values teamwork, honesty, and respect. Be ready to discuss how you embody these values in your work. Share stories that illustrate your ability to work collaboratively and how you prioritise the needs of the community in your decision-making.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the council's future plans for SEND services or how they measure success in their commissioning strategies. It shows you're engaged and thinking critically about the role.
