Children's Senior Commissioning Officer (Early Help)

• Lead Somerset’s nationally recognised innovation in Children’s Services – data-led transformation and partnership working.
• Shape the future for Somerset’s children by championing early years development and support the delivery of the Best Start in Life programme.
• Negotiate and influence at a strategic level, ensuring public funds deliver real impact for children and support a resilient provider market.

A fantastic opportunity is available for a fixed-term Senior Commissioner position within the Children’s Commissioning Team, running until at least the end of March 2027 (with the potential for extension, subject to funding). This role will take a thematic lead on partnership working, using a data-driven approach to improve outcomes for children and families in Somerset.

As a Senior Commissioner, you will spearhead the Council’s development of a single digital view of each child and family (Transform Family View), negotiate placement uplifts, and support the ongoing development of the Connect Somerset and the Best Start in Life Programmes. The variety and scope of this role make it especially rewarding.

Somerset Council is nationally recognised for its innovative use of data and collaborative partnerships; all aimed at giving every child the best possible start. By championing early years development, you’ll help reduce inequalities and play a key part in supporting the delivery of the Connect Somerset and the Best Start in Life programme, integrated family hubs, and data-led support for vulnerable children. Leading the Transform Family View initiative will also provide opportunities to showcase Somerset’s work and share best practice at a national level.

You’ll be responsible for negotiating with providers to ensure public funds are used efficiently, resulting in better outcomes for children and stronger relationships with service providers. Effective negotiation supports the stability of local providers, helping to keep placements available and sustainable. By considering the needs of smaller providers and balancing uplift requests, you’ll help maintain a diverse and resilient provider market.

Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Working with a range of partners seeking opportunities to work together, joining up information to safeguard children.
• Supporting partners develop robust data sharing arrangements and delivering training to build confidence.
• Developing and delivering the Connect Somerset and Best Start in Life programme
• Leading uplift negotiation meetings

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

• Had a relevant degree or comparable related work experience
• Are highly organised
• Are a good problem solver
• Have experience in delivering training
• A good negotiator and influencer
• Be data driven and an analytical thinker
• 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

The salary for the senior Commissioner is Grade 9, ranging from £41,771-£46,142 per annum

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

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

Interviews will be held on Monday 1^st December 2025

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.