At a Glance
- Tasks: Support commissioning for SEND services, ensuring high-quality support for children and families.
- Company: Join Cheshire East Council, dedicated to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days of annual leave, flexible working, and salary sacrifice schemes.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
- Why this job: Be part of a team shaping the future of children's services in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning or public service, with strong organisational and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 39152 - 39152 £ per year.
At Cheshire East we’re making significant, tangible investments in our foundations. This includes strengthening our commissioning function, expanding workforce development and creating clearer, more ambitious pathways. To realise these ambitions, we’re seeking experienced, flexible individuals who want to help us shape the future.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Commissioning Officer – SEND, based at Delamere House, Crewe. To provide operational commissioning support and delivery for SEND working closely with colleagues in Children’s Social Care (CSC), joint commissioning, placements and QA.
About the Role
You will be expected to work flexibly across portfolios to meet business need and priorities. Portfolio focus may be re-prioritised through commissioning governance (HoS/boards) to meet system pressures (e.g. sufficiency, inspection, provider risk).
You will support the commissioning cycle, contract management and market engagement activity to help secure high‑quality, sufficient and value‑for‑money services for children, young people and families.
The successful candidate will:
- Support delivery of commissioning activity for SEND working with colleagues in CSC, joint commissioning and placements and QA portfolios.
- Contribute to needs analysis, service reviews and evidence gathering to inform commissioning intentions and service redesign.
- Support procurement activity, including preparing tender documentation, evaluation materials and contract documentation, in line with procurement regulations.
- Carry out day to day contract management tasks such as monitoring performance data, tracking spends, arranging review meetings and maintaining contract records.
- Liaise with Placements & Brokerage colleagues to provide commissioning intelligence on demand, availability and cost trends.
- Prepare reports, briefing notes and data returns for managers, inspections and partnership meetings.
The successful candidate will bring:
- Experience or training in commissioning or public service.
- Excellent administrative and organisational skills within a supporting capacity to commissioning contracts or service delivery teams.
- An overview of commissioning processes, safeguarding principles and public-sector working.
- Application of needs assessment, outcomes-based commissioning and performance management approaches.
- Excellent understanding of information governance, equality duties and basic safeguarding requirements.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Flexible approach to work.
- Willingness and ability to travel throughout the borough.
If you would like to have a confidential conversation about this post prior to application, please contact Natalie Kelly email:natalie.kelly@cheshireeast.gov.uk
In return we are able to offer:
- Enhanced annual leave– Start with an impressive 34 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) from day one, and watch it grow to 39 days after just five years of service.
- Purchase of annual leave – Want more time off? You can purchase up to 10 extra days of annual leave each year, giving you the flexibility to balance work and life just the way you want (Pro-rata for part-time staff).
- Flexible working pattern– Enjoy a 37-hour standard full-time work week with the added perks of flexi-time and hybrid/remote working arrangements where possible.
- Salary sacrifice green car scheme– Drive green and save green! Lease a brand-new electric or hybrid car through our salary sacrifice scheme.
- White goods salary sacrifice scheme – Upgrade your home with ease. Purchase home and electronic items through our salary sacrifice scheme.
- Enhanced public pension– Secure your future with our career average pension.
- Cycle to work scheme – Save up to 25-39% on the retail price of bikes and safety equipment.
- Employee assistance programme– Access a completely free and confidential assistance service.
- Discounted gym membership – Stay active and healthy with corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure.
Cheshire East Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults across the Borough. As such, any cautions, convictions, reprimands or final warnings that are ‘not protected’ as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) order 1975 (as amended in 2013) relating to the non-disclosure of spent convictions do not apply to this job.
Commissioning Officer – SEND (E3767) in Crewe employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Kirklees Metropolitan Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Childcare Lawyers in Northallerton. With hybrid working options and a strong commitment to employee growth, the council fosters a culture of collaboration and professional development, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in children's services.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Officer – SEND (E3767) in Crewe
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Kirklees Metropolitan Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Kirklees Metropolitan Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Kirklees Metropolitan Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning Officer – SEND (E3767) in Crewe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Kirklees Metropolitan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Metropolitan Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
