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 growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40778 - 45092 £ 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 include:
- 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.
The successful candidate will have:
- 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. We value a range of experiences and skills. If you have transferable skills from other roles or voluntary work, we encourage you to apply.
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
More information on benefits can be found in the attached benefits booklet.
Shortlisting will take place week commencing 8th June 2026 with interviews taking place from 15th June 2026 onwards.
Contact: Kate Featherstone-Bennett by email at Kate.Featherstone-Bennett@doncaster.gov.uk
Company: City Of Doncaster Council
Salary: Grade 9 £40,778 – £45,092 (pay award pending)
Location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Sector: Health and Social Care, Healthcare Management, Commissioning
Children’s Commissioning Lead (Placements) CDC in Doncaster employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
The City of Doncaster Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the lives of its residents, particularly children and families. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits, and a supportive work culture, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic environment. Join us in shaping the future of children's services in Doncaster while enjoying generous leave entitlements, a local government pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
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 local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the City of Doncaster Council and its initiatives. Understand their priorities and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about improving outcomes for children and families.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in commissioning and contract management can directly benefit the Placements Team. Highlight your experience in safeguarding and working with children in care to show you’re the right fit for the role.
✨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 the 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 in commissioning and contract management can directly benefit the Placements Team.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t hold back on sharing your relevant experience in children’s services, especially around safeguarding and placements. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their ability to lead in a high-pressure environment, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love detail, clarity is key! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to break down your achievements and responsibilities, making it easier for us to see your strengths.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. This way, you’ll ensure your application reaches us directly and you won’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key responsibilities of the Children’s Commissioning Lead role. Familiarise yourself with the Children and Young People’s Plan and understand how commissioning works in a public sector context. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience in children’s services, particularly in placements and safeguarding. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easy for the interviewers to see how your skills align with their needs.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just answer questions; engage in a conversation. Ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, current challenges they face, and how they measure success in the role. This shows that you’re not only interested in the job but also in contributing positively to the team.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Children
Make it clear that you prioritise the voices and experiences of children and young people in your decision-making. Share any relevant experiences where you’ve successfully advocated for children’s needs or improved outcomes in your previous roles. This will resonate well with the council's mission.
