Children's Commissioning Officer

• Be part of the team working on nationally recognised innovation in Children’s Services – data-led transformation and partnership working approach to improve outcomes for children.
• Shape the future for Somerset’s children by championing partnership working.
• This role requires you to be in the County Hall a minimum of one day a fortnight (following your induction period), with the opportunity for hybrid working, allowing you to work either from home, subject to managerial approval, or from one of our offices.
• 30 days' annual leave (in addition to bank holidays).
• A fantastic opportunity for a fixed-term Commissioner within Children’s Commissioning team, running until at least the end of March 2027 (with potential for extension, subject to funding).

As a Children’s Commissioning Officer, this post provides professional advice, guidance and support to Children’s Commissioning Managers and Senior Colleagues and Service Managers in the Children’s Commissioning Team to enhance partnership working and a joined-up approach to supporting families.

Working within a small team you will work with other colleagues to help lead Somerset’s nationally recognised innovation in Children’s Service – data-led transformation and partnership working. You will fulfil this by delivering complex activities and professional functions county-wide including commissioning and change projects to support cross cutting and transformation work.

We’re working to improve the lives of children here in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Working with a range of partners seeking opportunities to work together, joining up information to safeguard children
• Training key partners such as housing, education, health, and social care on Somerset’s system, and developing and maintaining effective working relationships with providers and stakeholders, including the voluntary, community and private sector. Support the ongoing development of the Connect Somerset, the Family First Partnership and the Best Start in Life Programmes.
• Working with multiple data sets and quality assuring data received

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you have:

• Had a relevant degree or comparable related work experience.
• Are highly organised and a good problem solver.
• Have experience in delivering training.
• Be data driven and an analytical thinker.
• Have knowledge of the commissioning process and contract management.
• Have the willingness to champion new approaches and share best practice.
• Have a background in children’s services.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more...

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Gill Bawler, Service Manager Partnership Transformation on 01823 359118 or  gill.bawler@somerset.gov.uk

The salary for the role is Grade 10, ranging from £37,280 to £41,711 per annum.

You will be based in Taunton with a requirement to travel county wide. 

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.

This post requires a criminal background check via the disclosure procedure.