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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and transform social care services for working-age adults in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Darlington Borough Council, committed to improving lives and supporting local communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days annual leave, flexible working, and a range of employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable adults while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning and safeguarding, with strong analytical and relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Work from home with occasional travel; great opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 41500 £ per year.
Hours and Pay
Salary £39,152 – £41,771 per annum Salary Band £30,001 to £40,000 Post Type Permanent Hours Per Week Full time
Job and Application details
Categories Social Care – Adult Service
Directorate N/A Published Date 25/09/2025 Closing Date 19/10/2025
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Darlington Borough Council’s People Group as a Commissioning Officer (Working Age Adults). This is an exciting time to work in the Commissioning Contracts and Brokerage Team to shape and transform the system in the context of a challenging national Social Care and Health agenda.
Darlington Borough Council fully supports agile working and flexible working arrangements. As an organisation we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. The post holder maybe required to travel on occasion, but it is expected that the role will be largely working from home.
Reporting to the Strategic Commissioning Manager, you will support the work of the Commissioning and Contracts Team to ensure that resources are used to commission services that make a positive impact, meet statutory obligations and contribute to overall strategic objectives. You will work as part of a team, with a focus on the management of specific projects and outcome-based commissioning, as well as transformational and ad-hoc projects, providing challenge and advice for the delivery of agreed targets. Demonstratable experience in management of safeguarding systems and processes. You will be joining an innovative and ambitious team which has a sharp focus on service improvement and also meeting the needs and aspirations of the local people within Darlington. This will be a challenging but extremely rewarding role for an individual with a genuine commitment to improve outcomes of children and adults within Darlington.
About you. You will be passionate about achieving good outcomes for vulnerable children and adults, resilient and positive, with the ability to support, challenge and influence partners. You will have an eye for detail and be resilient with excellent relationship building skills. You will have Commissioning experience including implementing, monitoring and reviewing policies and procedures. You will be able to bring ideas and experience of finding solutions to the challenges in the social care market in order to improve care and support for residents. You will have excellent analytical and interpretational skills being familiar with a range of information sources and research methodologies, including the analysis of complex demographic and demand led trends.
The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:
- 32 days Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
- Flexi-time Scheme
- Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes
- Staff equality forums
- Green Car Leasing Scheme
- Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
- Physiotherapy service
- Confidential counselling service
- Great wellbeing offer
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
- Local and National retailer discounts
- Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings
- Arriva Employee Travel Club
For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our Why work for us internet page, which also includes our Total Reward Booklet and Employee Benefit Video.
https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers-1/why-work-for-us/
Find out further information about us and what it’s like to work for our great team by visiting the Jobs and Careers home page.
https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/
For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile and Person Specification.
Interview date for this post will be Thursday 6 November 2025.
The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Adult and Child Barred list check.
General Information for Applicants:
For an informal discussion please contact Stacey Annandale Lead Commissioning and Contracts Manager (Adults) on 07741184844 or Alison Moffitt Strategic Commissioning Manager (Adults) on 07788354243.
If you have any further questions regarding applying for this role or the questions and required fields within the application form, please contact the HR Support team on 01325 403217 or HR@darlington.gov.uk .
If you are experiencing problems with the NE Jobs website, such as logging in, saving pages, on account queries please fill out the form within the link below.
https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/contactus
All applicant email correspondence will come from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.
You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
We are an equal opportunities\’ employer. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We aim to interview any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job.
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Commissioning Officer (Working Age Adults) employer: Darlington Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Darlington Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Officer (Working Age Adults)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the social care sector, especially those connected to Darlington Borough Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching the latest trends in social care and commissioning. Show us that you're not just passionate but also informed about the challenges and innovations in the field. This will impress the hiring team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through! Use examples from your experience that highlight your skills in managing safeguarding systems and working with vulnerable adults.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning Officer (Working Age Adults)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Commissioning Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for improving outcomes for vulnerable adults shine through. Share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles, as this will resonate with us at Darlington Borough Council.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your skills and experiences are easy to understand. This helps us see your potential quickly!
Check Your Details: Before hitting submit, double-check your application for any typos or errors. Accuracy is key, and we want to see that you pay attention to detail. Plus, it shows professionalism!
How to prepare for a job interview at Darlington Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Commissioning Officer and the specific challenges in social care. Brush up on current trends, policies, and the local context in Darlington. This will help you demonstrate your passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable adults during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous commissioning experience in detail. Think about specific projects you've managed, how you implemented policies, and the outcomes achieved. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Build Rapport
Since this role involves working closely with partners, focus on your relationship-building skills. Be friendly and approachable during the interview. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve common goals in your past roles.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the team's current projects, the council's vision for social care, or how they measure success in commissioning. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
