At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform services for children and young people, driving innovation and strategic change.
- Company: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, committed to improving lives and fostering community.
- Benefits: Permanent role with a supportive environment and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join an inclusive team that values diversity and promotes continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while shaping future services.
- Qualifications: Experienced in commissioning within children's services, with strong leadership and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
This is a pivotal leadership role where the successful candidate will shape services for children and young people, influence markets, and drive transformational change across social care and health. We are seeking an ambitious, commercially astute, and outcomes-focused leader who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about improving the lives of children, young people, and families. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and dynamic leader to shape the future of services, influence regional and local priorities, and ensure children and young people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
Reporting to the Assistant Director, you will provide strategic leadership across commissioning activities, driving innovation, commercial excellence, and transformational change. You will work closely with senior leaders, providers, health partners, schools, and stakeholders to develop sustainable, high-quality services that deliver improved outcomes and value for money.
About You
You will be an experienced commissioning professional with a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes within children's services, social care, health, or related sectors. We are looking for someone who:
- Has an in-depth understanding of the children and young people's market, including residential care, fostering, SEND, supported accommodation, and health services.
- Brings strong commercial acumen and can confidently manage significant budgets, complex contracts, procurement activity, and market relationships.
- Is a strategic thinker who can identify opportunities, challenge traditional approaches, and develop innovative solutions to complex system challenges.
- Has the confidence and credibility to influence at senior levels across local authorities, NHS organisations, providers, and regional partnerships.
- Thrives under pressure, maintaining focus and delivering outcomes in a demanding and rapidly changing environment.
- Demonstrates strong analytical skills and uses intelligence, data, and evidence to inform decision-making.
- Is an inspirational leader who develops high-performing teams, promotes accountability, and creates a culture of continuous improvement.
- Has a relentless focus on improving outcomes for children, young people, and families.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic commissioning and transformation of services for children and young people.
- Shape and influence local and regional markets to ensure sufficient, high-quality provision is available.
- Drive innovative commissioning approaches that improve outcomes and deliver best value.
- Develop effective partnerships across social care, health, education, housing, and the voluntary sector.
- Lead complex procurement and contract management activity, ensuring compliance and commercial effectiveness.
- Provide expert advice to senior leaders, elected members, and governance boards.
- Deliver commissioning strategies that support sufficiency, prevention, early intervention, and improved life chances.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration, integration, and service redesign across organisational boundaries.
- Ensure commissioning activity is outcomes-focused, evidence-led, and centred on the needs of children, young people, and families.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people while leading a significant commissioning portfolio during a period of transformation and opportunity. You will join an ambitious organisation committed to innovation, partnership working, and delivering excellent outcomes for residents. We offer a supportive leadership environment where creativity, challenge, and fresh thinking are welcomed. If you are a highly motivated leader with the vision, commercial expertise, and determination to transform services and improve outcomes for children and young people, we would love to hear from you. Join us and help shape better futures for children, young people, and families.
Provisional interview dates are:
- 27th August 2026 for Technical Interview
- 1st September 2026 for Panel Assessments
- 3rd September 2026 for Final Interview
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role. Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview. If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.
Consider registering for Sefton@work. If you’re an unemployed Sefton resident, register with our Sefton@Work service for free support to help you into employment. You may be eligible for extra assistance such as funding for travel, work clothing, or vouchers to make starting your new job easier. Call Sefton@Work on 0151 934 2610 or visit seftonatwork.net to find out more and get started today!
Head of Service - Commissioning employer: Sefton Council
Sefton Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the growth and development of its employees. With a strong focus on educational innovation, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while benefiting from professional development programmes and collaborative partnerships. Working in Sefton not only allows you to contribute to the future of education but also provides a vibrant environment that values diversity and encourages creative solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Commissioning
✨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 Sefton 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 Sefton 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 Sefton 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 Sefton 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 Head of Service - Commissioning
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 Sefton Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sefton 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 Sefton 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.
