At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to improve outcomes for children and families in South Tyneside.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in children's services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Supportive environment with a commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while driving innovation and improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning, quality assurance, or business improvement is essential.
The predicted salary is between 48226 - 48226 £ per year.
There has never been a better time to be part of South Tyneside's Children’s Commissioning and Quality Team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a passionate, ambitious and supportive team that is committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and their families.
As Senior Commissioning and Quality Officer, you will lead and support a range of strategic and operational commissioning, quality assurance and transformation initiatives. You will use data, insight and engagement to inform decision-making, improve services and support the development of high-quality, outcome-focused provision. Working closely with internal and external partners, you will help drive innovation, continuous improvement, value for money and sufficiency across children's services. The role offers an excellent opportunity to influence change, lead complex projects, develop quality frameworks, undertake performance and financial analysis, and contribute to the Council's wider improvement journey. You will also provide day-to-day supervision and support to a small team.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support commissioning and quality assurance activity across the full commissioning lifecycle.
- Undertake needs analysis, service reviews, option appraisals and business cases to inform decision-making.
- Analyse complex performance, quality and financial information to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Develop and maintain performance dashboards, reports and recommendations for senior leaders.
- Lead transformational projects and service improvement initiatives that improve outcomes for children and families.
- Develop effective relationships with providers, practitioners, partners and stakeholders across the wider system.
- Support the development of quality assurance and continuous improvement frameworks.
- Supervise and support a small team to deliver agreed priorities and outcomes.
You will be an experienced commissioning, quality, transformation or business improvement professional with a strong track record of delivering change and improving outcomes. You will have substantial experience within health, social care, education, local government or a related environment and be confident analysing complex information, managing projects and engaging a wide range of stakeholders. You will bring excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills, alongside a creative and solution-focused approach to problem solving. Most importantly, you will share our commitment to putting children and young people at the heart of everything we do and be motivated by our ambition to continually ask "what more is possible?" for families in South Tyneside.
South Tyneside Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure will be sought along with other relevant pre-employment checks. For those posts where there is a requirement to either work in or enter a Care Quality Commission Regulated Care Home (CQC) it would be preferred but optional, that you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (unless medical exempt) as a condition of employment. We do not currently offer skilled worker visa sponsorship.
Please note that if you apply for this role, all communication regarding your application will be sent to the email address that you have registered with North East Jobs, please ensure you check your junk mail.
Closing date: Noon, 2 September 2026. Interviews will take place week commencing 14 September 2026.
Children’s Senior Commissioning and Quality Officer employer: South Tyneside Council
Jarrow School is an exceptional employer that prioritises staff well-being and work/life balance, making it an ideal place for those passionate about education. Located in South Tyneside, the school fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where employees can thrive while contributing to the development of young people. With a strong commitment to professional growth and a culture rooted in Respect, Resilience, and Responsibility, Jarrow School offers meaningful opportunities for those looking to make a positive impact in the lives of students.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children’s Senior Commissioning and Quality Officer
✨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 South Tyneside 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 South Tyneside 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 South Tyneside 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 South Tyneside 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 Children’s Senior Commissioning and Quality Officer
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 South Tyneside Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South Tyneside 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 South Tyneside 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.
