At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commissioning for children's services, improving outcomes and designing inclusive pathways.
- Company: Join Walsall Council's ambitious Children’s Commissioning Team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence system-wide change and work with passionate professionals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 47181 - 50269 £ per year.
Walsall Council is looking for two experienced commissioning professionals to join our Children’s Commissioning Team. This is a pivotal moment following significant investment and a recent restructure.
The Roles:
- Senior Commissioning Officer - Lifelong Learning and Inclusion: This role leads commissioning activity across education-related provision and inclusive pathways, including Alternative Provision (AP), independent day and residential school placements, transitions and preparing for adulthood, and sufficiency, market development and cost control across education and learning provision.
- Senior Commissioning Officer - Early Intervention and Communities: This role focuses on commissioning across prevention and community-based pathways, including Family Hubs and early intervention systems, Holiday Activities and Food (HAF), development of Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) provision, and wider prevention, youth, early years and parenting support.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead service reviews and commissioning activity across the commissioning cycle, ensuring services are outcome-focused and deliver value for money.
- Shape and develop provider markets to improve quality and local sufficiency.
- Co-create joint commissioning strategies with education, health and social care partners.
- Champion co-production so lived experience informs service design.
- Use data and insight to inform decision-making.
- Monitor provider performance, quality and risk across our commissioned services.
- Prepare reports, business cases and recommendations for senior leaders and elected Members.
- Represent the Council at local, regional and national forums.
- Deputise for Commissioning Managers where required.
About You:
You are a confident system leader with experience of commissioning in complex environments, shaping markets, working across organisational boundaries, and turning strategy into delivery. You are comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, using data to inform and drive decisions, and confident holding providers to account while building strong relationships. If you are motivated by improving outcomes for children, young people and families, then this is the role for you.
Why Work for Walsall?
Join a supportive and ambitious team with a clear focus on improving outcomes for children and young people. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to influence system-wide change, lead high-profile programmes of work, and further develop your career within a forward-thinking local authority.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment.
Senior Commissioning Officer - Ref: CH01626 in Walsall employer: WMJobs
Walsall Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and ambitious work environment dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people. With significant investment in services and a commitment to professional development, employees have the opportunity to lead impactful programmes and influence system-wide change within a forward-thinking local authority. The council's outstanding reputation, as recognised by Ofsted, reflects its dedication to staff support and community impact, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commissioning Officer - Ref: CH01626 in Walsall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Walsall Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Walsall’s Children’s Commissioning Team and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another applicant, but someone who genuinely cares about improving outcomes for children.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or family member to do a mock interview with you. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when it’s time for the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commissioning Officer - Ref: CH01626 in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, make sure it reflects your own voice and experiences. We want to hear what makes you unique, so don’t hold back on sharing your personal insights!
Tailor Your Supporting Information:Your supporting information is crucial! Make sure you address the specific criteria in the employee specification. This is your chance to shine, so be detailed and show us how your skills match the role.
Follow the Application Instructions:Remember, we don’t accept CVs, so stick to the online application form. Fill out all sections, especially your work history and qualifications, to give us a complete picture of your background.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of commissioning for children’s services. Brush up on recent trends, policies, and best practices in the field. Being able to discuss how you can improve outcomes for children and young people will show that you’re genuinely interested and knowledgeable.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share specific examples from your past roles where you’ve successfully led commissioning activities or influenced stakeholders. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Engage with the Team's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Walsall Council’s vision and priorities for children’s services. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely invested in their mission.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the team dynamics, upcoming projects, or how success is measured in the role. It demonstrates your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
