Job profile

Commissioning Officer, Children’s Services

Are you an experienced commissioner with knowledge in children’s social care? Are you looking for a new challenge in commissioning? This is an exciting time to join a growing all age commissioning service in a council with an excellent employee offer and working environment.

The role

Working in an experienced and busy team, with a diverse portfolio of strategic commissioning and market management projects for children and families, this post will share the children’s commissioning portfolio.  The main focus will be around children’s social care commissioning including residential care. You will have a key role in instigating review and design, contract management, quality assurance and investment, working with partners across the council and externally.

About the Service

The Commissioning, Performance and Service Development service manages design, commissioning, market shaping, performance, and quality assurance to meet the needs of vulnerable local people and families. It works across adult social care, children’s social care and education, in conjunction with operational services and corporate support services across the council. The service works in partnership with the NHS, local voluntary and community organisations and other public bodies.

About you

You will be qualified to degree level or have equivalent professional experience and knowledge around the needs of children and families. You have excellent and versatile communication skills and ability to work collaboratively. You will be a team player with ambition and commitment to reaching the best outcomes for children, families, and local residents. You will be able to use appropriate evidence and commissioning processes to optimise impact and make best use of resources in challenging times. You must also have experience of managing a team.

Please refer to the job profile for the full list of essential criteria required for the post.

A bit about Gateshead Council…

We’re truly committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of service and we need like-minded people who can help us deliver a high-quality service.   We need people who want to make a difference, who are talented, possess the right knowledge and skills and who want the chance to demonstrate how good they are.

What’s in it for you?  Well, there’s so much on offer and here’s just a few of the highlights!

• You’ll be paid a competitive salary £42,403 - £45,441.
• You can save for your future by enrolling in our generous pension scheme
• You’ll have access to great health and wellbeing support, including discounted membership to GO Gateshead Leisure Services and ability to use our cycle to work scheme
• A generous annual leave package of 26 days increasing to 30 days following 5 years’ service. You will also have the opportunity to purchase up to 10 days extra leave via our Annual Leave Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• We’ll give you access to a Co Wheels vehicle for work use, saving your petrol costs and wear to your vehicle.
• We’ll give you the chance to take advantage of various offers and discounts on shopping and household spend, including O2, Virgin Media and Dell
• Access to generous flexi time system with the opportunity to take 2 flexi days per 4-week flexi period, depending on the needs of the service
• We offer hybrid working, allowing colleagues to work remotely where appropriate if they wish to do so
• A robust Workforce Development offer with loads of opportunities for learning to progress your career and to enhance your knowledge in specific areas

It’s time to apply!

We’re delighted that you want to come and work with us.  Please take a look at the full job profile via this link Job Profile for the full list of essential criteria for the post. 

For an informal discussion, please contact Andi Parker, Service Manager on 0191 4332346 or at andiparker@gateshead.gov.uk or Alison Chambers, Lead Commissioner on 07518299866 or at alisonchambers@gateshead.gov.uk