Senior Commissioning Officer

Senior Commissioning Officer - Children and Young People''s Services

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council)

Up to -280 per day

Are you an experienced and dynamic commissioning professional passionate about improving services for children and young people? BCP Council is seeking a Senior Commissioning Officer to join our team on a contract basis.

Job Overview

This is a high-impact role where you will play a critical part in shaping and delivering our strategic vision for children and young people''s services. Your primary focus will be on the development, implementation, and monitoring of commissioning plans, with a special emphasis on Short Breaks for children with SEND and the Advocacy and Independent Visiting service.

You will be responsible for developing and leading a project plan for the BCP Advocacy and Short Break services, including a full tender exercise. You must have a strong commitment to ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money are at the forefront of all work undertaken. We are seeking a professional who will work in a cooperative and co-productive manner, collaborating with stakeholders to achieve whole-system change and improved outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the joint commissioning agenda to improve the delivery and outcomes of commissioned services, with a specific focus on the development and commissioning of the Short Breaks provision.
• Lead the rapid overhaul of the Advocacy and Independent Visitor service, including a full re-tender of the service and the project management of the entire programme.
• Provide regular progress reports on the Short Breaks re-tender to senior board level.
• Support the co-development of a new and improved Advocacy and Independent Visitor service offer for BCP children and young people.
• Utilise your expertise to drive programme management and deliver complex projects at pace.

Experience and Skills

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in commissioning within a local government or public sector environment. We are looking for someone with:

• Comprehensive knowledge of key national issues and programmes relevant to children with SEND and looked-after children.
• Demonstrable experience of commissioning and implementing a Short Breaks provision.
• Proficiency in using management information and needs assessments for commissioning, performance management, and monitoring and review reporting.
• Extensive experience in service development, options appraisal, and system change, with strong programme management and financial management skills.

If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for delivering better outcomes for children and young people, and you have the skills to drive this critical agenda, we encourage you to apply.