At a Glance
- Tasks: Help find loving homes for children in care and support their journey.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire County Council, a family-friendly employer dedicated to community welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, career development, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available, with a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others and ability to work in a fast-paced team.
The predicted salary is between 37280 - 40777 £ per year.
This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.
Job Location: Shire Hall, Block 5, 2nd Floor
Salary: 37,280 - 40,777 per annum (pro-rata)
Hours per Week: 22.2
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration: 6 Months
Closing Date: 15/07/2026
This post is open to job share.
About The Role
The core role is to find homes for children in care. This could be foster families, residential homes or supported accommodation for older young people.
- Work as part of a placement (home) finding team.
- Lead on specific area of placement finding, eg residential care.
- Review profiles for children needing care.
- Liaising with Social Workers and providers to make matches for a case load of children and young people.
- Complete record keeping and paperwork for each child.
- Be part of a duty rota to manage emergency placement searches for same day home finding.
- Work alongside GCC's inhouse fostering service.
About You
It is a busy and fast paced role, working to tight deadlines and you need to be able to work in this way. You will be part of a team of staff undertaking placement finding, with admin support and a contract monitoring team to support with managing existing placements for children. The team work closely together with daily MS teams calls and a lively MS teams chat stream.
Everyone works together and we are all passionate about finding the right home for every child or young person. We have monthly team meetings and work in the office 1 to 2 days a week. You can work in the office daily if this suits. We are based at Shire hall.
Core hours at 9am to 5pm and this is required to manage the demands of the service provision.
The role involves handling confidential information about children, therefore appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check and a check of Local GCC records.
About Us
For all your hard work, you will receive the following:
- Flexible and agile working opportunities
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service
- An option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- Family friendly employer offering benefits to help support you and your family
- Career development and qualification opportunities
- Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone.
- An in-house Occupational Health service
- Employee discount scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Gloucestershire Salary Sacrifice Green Car Scheme (T&Cs apply)
- Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) network and the Young Employees Network
How to apply
If you feel you have the skills, desire and experience required to make a positive difference then please express an interest in this position by submitting a CV today by clicking the Apply Now Button.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Lara Wiseman.
Additional Information
The council is not currently able to offer sponsorship in this role. Candidates will need to have right to work that enables them to commit to at least 6 months' employment. Right to work is not transferable from a sponsored role held with another employer.
Applications from any Gloucestershire County Council's employees who are currently on the redeployment register or at risk of redundancy will be considered first at shortlisting stage.
Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire's diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.
It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a customer facing role must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.
Commissioning Officer, Fixed Term employer: Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment at Shire Hall. With flexible working options, generous annual leave, and a strong focus on career development, employees are empowered to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people in care. The council's commitment to employee well-being is further enhanced by access to comprehensive support services and vibrant employee networks.
Contact Details:
Gloucestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Officer, Fixed Term
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Gloucestershire County Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning Officer, Fixed Term
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Gloucestershire County Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Gloucestershire County Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gloucestershire County Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Gloucestershire County Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Commissioning Officer, Fixed Term role at Gloucestershire County Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Gloucestershire County Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
