Children\'s Commissioning Lead (CDC) in Doncaster

The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation which puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. You have an opportunity to be part of this in the role of Children’s Commissioning Lead.

About the Directorate: Our Children, Young People and Families Directorate is progressing an ambitious transformation journey to ensure that all children and young people receive high quality, timely and inclusive support. A key part of this ambition is strengthening our SEND commissioning arrangements, supporting the implementation of the national SEND and AP Reforms, and ensuring long-term SEND sufficiency across education, health and care services.

About the Role: We are seeking a motivated, experienced SEND Commissioning Lead to play a pivotal role in shaping, delivering and embedding high quality, evidence‑based commissioning for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This role will lead on a defined portfolio of SEND commissioned services, supporting the delivery of our SEND Sufficiency Strategy, and ensuring that commissioning activity is aligned to the SEND and AP Improvement Plan and the forthcoming national SEND reforms. The postholder will work closely with colleagues across Education, Social Care, Health (including ICB and provider partners), Parent Carer Forum representatives, schools and wider stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Leading the design, development, procurement and management of a portfolio of SEND related commissioned services, ensuring they deliver positive outcomes, high quality and value for money.
• Supporting to drive the implementation of the SEND Reforms, ensuring commissioning arrangements reflect emerging national expectations, improved accountability and strengthened multi‑agency working.
• Supporting the delivery and continuous development of Doncaster's SEND sufficiency plan, including specialist provision planning, early intervention services and preparation for adulthood pathways.
• Using data, intelligence and market insight to inform commissioning decisions, identify gaps, and develop innovative, sustainable service solutions.
• Working collaboratively with partners to strengthen the local SEND provider market, improve capacity and stability, and support innovation.
• Ensuring the views and lived experiences of children, young people and families shape commissioning priorities, service design and continuous improvement.
• Contributing to inspection readiness, particularly in relation to Ofsted/CQC Area SEND inspections.

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience in children’s services, SEND, education, health, commissioning or related areas.
• Demonstrable experience in commissioning, contract management or joint commissioning within a public‑sector or partnership environment.
• Strong understanding of SEND legislation, national policy, the SEND & AP Improvement Plan, and responsibilities related to SEND sufficiency.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, forecast need and translate intelligence into robust commissioning activity.
• Strong communication, relationship building and influencing skills, working confidently across system partners and with providers.
• Commitment to co‑production and ensuring that the voices of children, young people and families drive service development.

This is an excellent opportunity to broaden your experience and make a lasting difference in a dynamic, collaborative and supportive environment. In return for your hard work and dedication, we can offer you the chance to be part of a great team dedicated to ensuring that all people in Doncaster thrive. You will also have access to a variety of attractive employee benefits including competitive leave entitlement, a generous local government pension scheme, a wide range of well‑being support and development opportunities. You will also have access to a range of staff discount and benefits schemes. More information on the benefits available to you as a City of Doncaster Council employee can be found in the attached benefits book.

Please ensure you view the job summary and job profile as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria. Shortlisting will take place week commencing 30th March 2026 and it is anticipated that interviews will be held week commencing 6th April 2026.

For further details or an informal chat please contact: