Classifications
Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us click here.
Please review our Candidate Application Guide before submitting your application, it’s packed with helpful tips to guide you through our application and interview process, while showing you what we are looking for.
Placements Commissioning Officer
Placement Commissioning is a fast-paced team within the Early Help and Social Care directorate with a remit to drive the commissioning framework and its strategic intentions to support the delivery of positive outcomes for children and young people. The service leads the commissioning and contract management of placements for children and young people in the care of the Local Authority and for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The team works closely with social care and education operational managers to identify needs, co-design solutions, procure placements and deliver quality assurance through robust contract management. Roles within this service require a level of professional skill and technical knowledge to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring high quality results and the effective delivery of services.
Achieving for Children continually reviews its structure and business practices in order to provide the best possible services for children, young people and their families, in the most effective and efficient way. As a result, the key tasks in any job profile may be varied.
This position is offered on a fixed-term basis through June 2028, with the potential for extension subject to future requirements.
About the role
Your core responsibilities will include:
- Leading external placement commissioning for Children in Care, Care Leavers and/or children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities across residential homes, Independent Fostering Agencies, supported accommodation, residential and day special schools and Alternative Provisions.
- Carrying out due diligence, quality assurance and provider monitoring visits
- Managing contract administration, provider negotiations, and cost-avoidance monitoring for placements
About you
- Educated to a degree level or with substantial professional experience
- Experience of building strong partnerships, maintaining relationships and co-producing solutions to challenges across a diverse set of stakeholders, including children, young people and their families. Advocating the voices of those we are working with.
- Experience in fee negotiations, fee uplifts, commissioning placements and relationship building with stakeholders.
- Experience in quality assurance, contract management and developing innovative contracting approaches.
- Proven ability to effectively use qualitative and quantitative data, intelligence and evidence to create meaningful insight and to inform own decision making.
- Knowledge of statutory legislation and guidance (e.g. the Children Act; SEND Code of Practice) and national policy drivers that affect children’s services.
- Knowledge of delivering commissioned services within budget, monitoring financial performance, identifying financial risks/pressures, and meeting identified savings targets.
- Maintaining accurate records, producing clear reports and presentations for stakeholders in line with local policies.
- Hold a driving licence and have use of a vehicle to travel effectively to undertake work
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children click here. For our social work offer click here. For our Recruitment Journey, click here.
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
