At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to improve services for children and families through quality assurance and contract management.
- Company: Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, dedicated to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, pension scheme, employee discounts, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Some knowledge of children's services and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Hybrid role with travel across Northamptonshire; full clean driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 32005 - 39384 £ per year.
# Quality and Outcomes Project Officer Commissioning Officer## About the rolePlease note that this post is 18.5 hours for 1x Commissioning Officer role.This is an exciting opportunity to join the Commissioning and Strategy Service within Northamptonshire Children’s Trust in the role of Commissioning Officer. Working within the Quality and Outcomes Team, you will be part of the team delivering our Quality Assurance Framework for commissioned services driving quality and service improvement to ensure value for money and improved outcomes for children, young people, and families in Northamptonshire.Through regular contract monitoring and quality visits, you will work in partnership with providers of vital services for children and young people, such as residential placements for children in care or important services for children with SEND, to improve standards and shape the market by helping to develop existing and new providers. You will be responsible for completing quality audits, reviewing practice and developing action plans with providers to ensure that our children and young people benefit from a service that is fit for purpose.Whilst some knowledge of children’s services is required, business and commercial experience would also be of value to this role to allow effective service improvement and support for our providers and partner organisations.The role of Commissioning Officer will also allow you to use your contract management and service improvement skills to really make a difference to the children and young people of the county through supporting Commissioning colleagues with contract monitoring, procurement and tender exercises and projects and activities that allow for the voice of the child to be captured effectively.We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.### About youThe role involves frequent travel to children’s homes and other placement settings across Northamptonshire, and on occasion in other counties across the UK and therefore a full clean driving licence is required. The role is hybrid and will require at least one day working in the office based in Northampton.For an informal chat about the role please call Sarah Burr on 07738 459552.When applying please ensure your supporting statement covers how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the person specification as this will be used for shortlisting. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education### Our benefitsWe are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:* **28 days annual leave,** plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years* **Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover** (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.* **Opportunity to purchase** up to 25 days annual leave* **Employee Assistance Programme** – We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.* **Employee discounts** with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.* **Flexible and family working arrangements** including enhanced maternity benefits* **A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team** where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions* Extensive Learning & Development and **career development** opportunities* **Subsidised** town centre car parking schemeAt Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.The following content displays a map of the job\’s location.| OpenStreetMap contributors### Quality and Outcomes Project Officer Commissioning Officer* **Salary** £32005 – £39384* **Salary Frequency** Annual* **Working Hours** 37* **Job Reference** Ref/76/7304* **Contract Type** Part Time* **Closing Date** 07 October, 2025* **Job Category** Social Care – Children* **Location** Northampton, United Kingdom* **Job Posted Date** 23 September, 2025 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Quality and Outcomes Project Officer Commissioning Officer employer: Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited
Contact Detail:
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality and Outcomes Project Officer Commissioning Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and understand their mission and values. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference for children and families.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. It’s a great way to get insider info and make connections.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about real-life examples of how you've improved services or worked with children and families. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality and Outcomes Project Officer Commissioning Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children and young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement directly addresses the essential criteria in the person specification. This is your chance to show us how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Quality Assurance Framework and how it applies to commissioned services. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children and young people in Northamptonshire, as well as any recent developments in children's services. This will show that you're genuinely interested and knowledgeable about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in contract management and service improvement. Think of specific examples where you've made a difference or improved outcomes. This is your chance to demonstrate how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Commissioning Officer role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the organisation. For instance, ask about the current challenges faced by the Quality and Outcomes Team or how they measure success in their commissioned services. This shows that you're engaged and thinking critically about the position.
✨Be Yourself
While it's important to be professional, don't forget to let your personality shine through. The team values creativity and kindness, so being authentic can help you connect with your interviewers. Share your passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families, and let them see why you're the right fit for their team.