At a Glance
- Tasks: Support commissioning and contracting for education and care services for children and young people.
- Company: Join North Yorkshire Council’s Children and Young People’s Service and make a real difference.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and contribute to impactful work in a supportive team.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for internal secondments and career development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a passion for making a difference.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you highly organised, analytical and passionate about making a real difference to children and young people? This is an exciting opportunity to join North Yorkshire Council’s Children and Young People’s Service at a pivotal time, supporting the commissioning and contracting of high-quality education, care, fostering, therapy and bespoke placement arrangements for children and young people across the county.
We are looking to appoint two Commissioning and Contracting Assistants to join our Partnerships and Sufficiency Contracting and Commissioning team on an 18-month fixed-term basis. The posts are also available as internal secondment opportunities, offering an excellent route for colleagues who are looking to broaden their experience, develop commissioning knowledge and contribute to work that directly supports some of our most vulnerable children and young people.
About the Service
This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills within a supportive, knowledgeable and ambitious commissioning team. You will gain valuable experience across children’s services, SEND, care, education, procurement, contract management, quality assurance and partnership working. For internal colleagues, the secondment route offers an excellent development opportunity to broaden your knowledge of commissioning and contribute to county-wide work with visible impact.
About the role
Working closely with the CYPS Commissioning Manager and Commissioning and Contracting Officers, you will support the day-to-day operation of commissioning and contracting activity across a diverse and high-profile portfolio. This includes residential care, fostering, education placements, alternative provision, external therapies and bespoke packages for children and young people with complex needs, including SEND.
You will help develop the provider market, source provision, prepare and issue contracts and contract variations, support quality assurance activity, maintain accurate records, analyse information and contribute to continuous improvement across commissioning systems and processes. The role offers a varied mix of operational delivery, partnership working, data analysis, provider engagement and contract support.
What you will be doing
- Supporting searches for education, residential, fostering and therapy provision for children and young people with complex needs.
- Preparing, issuing and maintaining contracts and contract variations in line with agreed processes and timescales.
- Working with providers, social care, SEND, finance, legal, health and wider partners to support effective placement and commissioning arrangements.
- Collecting, reviewing and analysing information to support quality assurance, performance monitoring and value for money.
- Helping to develop effective systems, reporting tools and processes that improve consistency, timeliness and service oversight.
- Contributing to commissioning activity that supports sufficiency, improves outcomes and promotes high-quality provision across North Yorkshire.
About you
You will be someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. You will bring strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a professional and responsive approach. You should be confident working with information, using systems and spreadsheets, communicating with a range of stakeholders and supporting decisions through accurate records and analysis.
Experience of commissioning, contracting, procurement, SEND, education, social care or provider services would be beneficial, but we are also interested in candidates who can demonstrate transferable skills, curiosity, resilience and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
Interested?
We welcome applications from external candidates as well as internal colleagues seeking an 18-month secondment. Internal applicants should discuss this opportunity with their line manager before applying, in line with normal secondment arrangements.
If you are motivated by meaningful work, enjoy problem solving and want to play a part in securing the right support for children and young people, we would love to hear from you. Join us and help shape high-quality, responsive services that make a difference to children, young people and families across North Yorkshire.
For an informal discussion about this role and the service please contact Beverley Rigg.
Commissioning and Contracting Assistant in Northallerton employer: North Yorkshire Council
North Yorkshire Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the picturesque town of Scarborough, employees benefit from a local government pension scheme, generous employee discounts, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community through their work in council tax and business rates management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning and Contracting Assistant in Northallerton
✨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 North Yorkshire 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 and Contracting Assistant in Northallerton
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 North Yorkshire 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 North Yorkshire 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 North Yorkshire 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 North Yorkshire 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 and Contracting Assistant role at North Yorkshire 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 North Yorkshire Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
