At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Placements Team to secure safe homes for children in care.
- Company: Join the City of Doncaster Council, dedicated to improving residents' lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive leave, a generous pension scheme, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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 (Placements). There has never been a more exciting time to join the Children Young People and Families Directorate and help ensure that children and families in Doncaster have access to the very best services.
City of Doncaster Council ensures that all services are commissioned against evidenced local need in line with the priorities of the Children and Young People’s Plan. We continue to work proactively with all our partners and stakeholders to make the very best use of available resources and continuously review services to ensure they are high quality and value for money.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Commissioning Lead to support the leadership of the Placements Team, who are responsible for identifying and securing safe, appropriate and high‑quality homes for children and young people in care. This is a pivotal role in ensuring that commissioning activity delivers the right placements at the right time, achieves value for money, and most importantly improves outcomes for children.
Working closely with colleagues across Children’s Social Care, Education, SEND, Health and partner agencies, the postholder will lead on the commissioning and contract management of a defined portfolio of services, with a strong focus on placement sufficiency, quality and market stability. The role will also require participation in an emergency placements rota, providing out‑of‑hours or urgent support to ensure children are placed safely when immediate needs arise.
Key responsibilities:- Supporting the day‑to‑day operational leadership of the Placements Team, ensuring timely identification of suitable homes for children and young people in care.
- Leading on the design, development, procurement and ongoing management of a defined portfolio of commissioned placement services, ensuring outcomes, quality and value for money are achieved.
- Embedding quality and safeguarding expectations throughout the commissioning and contract management cycle, working closely with quality assurance colleagues to provide assurance that placements safeguard children’s welfare.
- Supporting the development and operation of effective contract monitoring processes, including the supervision of support staff where required.
- Working proactively with providers to strengthen the local and regional placement market, improve quality, and support innovation and best practice.
- Ensuring the views and lived experiences of children, young people and families inform commissioning decisions and service improvement.
- Contributing to inspection readiness and responding effectively to regulatory and inspection frameworks, including Ofsted.
- Significant experience working within children’s services, including Children in Care, safeguarding, SEND, health or related areas.
- Experience of commissioning, contract management and/or joint commissioning within a public sector or partnership context.
- Experience of leading or supporting a team to deliver outcomes in a complex, high‑pressure environment.
- Strong knowledge of children’s policy, practice and statutory responsibilities, particularly in relation to placements and sufficiency.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to use data, intelligence and market insight to inform commissioning decisions.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with providers, partners and internal stakeholders.
- A clear commitment to keeping the voice of children and young people central to decision‑making.
This is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and utilise your skills in a dynamic, creative and nurturing environment, whilst truly making a difference to the communities we serve.
In return for your contribution, we offer:
- Competitive leave entitlement
- Generous local government pension scheme
- Wellbeing support and staff networks
- Development and training opportunities
- Staff discounts and benefits schemes
Children's Commissioning Lead (Placements) CDC in Doncaster employer: City Of Doncaster Council
The City of Doncaster Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the community. With a strong focus on professional growth, competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme, and a supportive work culture, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles. Joining the Children Young People and Families Directorate means being part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality services and ensuring the voices of children and young people are at the heart of decision-making.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Commissioning Lead (Placements) CDC in Doncaster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sector, attend 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 City of Doncaster Council and its initiatives. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for improving the lives of children and families in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to commissioning and safeguarding. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in Doncaster.
We think you need these skills to ace Children's Commissioning Lead (Placements) CDC in Doncaster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Children's Commissioning Lead. We want to see how your skills can help improve outcomes for children and families in Doncaster.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t hold back on sharing your relevant experience in children's services, commissioning, and contract management. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you've done that makes you a great fit!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and motivations for applying.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly!
How to prepare for a job interview at City Of Doncaster Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the Children's Commissioning Lead role. Familiarise yourself with the Children Young People and Families Directorate's priorities and how they align with your experience. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role and its impact on the community.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience in commissioning, contract management, and working within children's services. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see your capabilities in action.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated with different teams in the past. Highlight your communication and influencing skills, and share examples of how you’ve built strong relationships to achieve common goals.
✨Keep the Focus on Children
Demonstrate your commitment to putting children and young people at the heart of your decision-making. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve incorporated their voices and experiences into your previous work, and how you plan to do so in this role. This will show your alignment with the council’s values and priorities.
