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 lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive leave, a generous pension scheme, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for training and personal 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.
- Competitive leave entitlement
- Generous local government pension scheme
- Wellbeing support and staff networks
- Development and training opportunities
- Staff discounts and benefits schemes
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. We value a range of experiences and skills. If you have transferable skills from other roles or voluntary work, we encourage you to apply. Please review the job summary and profile and demonstrate in your application how you meet the required criteria.
Shortlisting will take place week commencing 8th June 2026 with interviews taking place from 15th June 2026 onwards. For further details or an informal chat please contact: Kate Featherstone-Bennett by email Kate.Featherstone-Bennett@doncaster.gov.uk
Children's Commissioning Lead (Placements) CDC in Doncaster employer: Doncaster Council
The City of Doncaster Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a significant impact on the lives of children and families in the community. With a strong commitment to employee growth through training opportunities, a supportive work culture, and a generous benefits package including a local government pension scheme, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to meaningful change in a dynamic environment. Join us in shaping the future of children's services in Doncaster, where your expertise will be valued and your contributions will directly enhance the quality of life for our residents.
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 your connections in children's services or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the City of Doncaster Council and its initiatives. Show us you’re passionate about improving outcomes for children and families, and have some ideas ready on how you can contribute!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around commissioning and contract management. We want to see your analytical skills shine, so be ready to share examples from your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. 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 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for improving the lives of children and families shine through. We want to see how your experiences align with our mission at the City of Doncaster Council.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in children's services and commissioning. We love seeing how your unique skills can contribute to our team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure to articulate your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
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 this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at 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 and Young People’s Plan and how it aligns with the City of Doncaster Council's goals. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience in children's services, commissioning, and contract management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated with teams in the past. Share instances where you’ve improved outcomes through teamwork, especially in high-pressure environments.
✨Keep the Kids at Heart
Demonstrate your commitment to putting children and young people first. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve incorporated their voices and experiences into your decision-making processes. This will resonate well with the council's focus on improving lives for families in Doncaster.
