As our new Head of Service Commissioning, Market Management and Customer Services, you will lead a key function in the Children and Families Directorate seeking to strengthen our approach to commissioning activity across both Social Care and Learning. The role also leads on our approach to Customer Services and complaints. The role has reach across the entire Directorate and provides a real opportunity to make a significant difference to the lives of children, young people and families across the City. The role is at the centre of a number of workstreams and activity that are vital to the Directorate and the Council including:
Key Responsibilities
* Helping securing the best mix of residential provision for CLA
* Setting a clear sufficiency direction for both CLA and children with SEND
* Managing the challenges of cost and quality in provision
* Working collaboratively with our Adults and Health Directorate to ensure that we have the best possible preparation for adulthood for CLA
* Joint working with a range of Health agencies
* Contribute, as a member of the service Leadership Team representing the directorate leadership team at health-related partnerships and boards with the aim of ensuring that system partners respond effective to the needs of children and young people
* On behalf of the Chief Officer Strategy and Resources and Children's Leadership Team more broadly to represent the interests of the directorate with a broad range of internal and external partners
* Work in partnership with the Head of Service, Children Looked After and Head of Service-Learning Inclusion to develop and maintain the directorate sufficiency plan
* Lead manage, develop and effectively deploy the capacity of the Children and Families Commissioning and Market Management Team
* Respond to business need and lead on all areas of commissioning activity including but not limited to external placements, regional commissioning, SEND, learning inclusion, early help, youth work, customer relations, SENDIASS and health
* Manage and develop directorate engagement with key health and third sector partners
* Assist the Chief Officer in leading and developing the provision of a high quality and effective programme of commissioning, partnership management and health integration
* Lead on the strategic and operational management of a broad programme of commissioning and transformational change activity to respond to identified needs and deliver the ambitions of the Leeds Children and Young People's Plan
* Lead and develop service teams to deliver complex change programmes and manage a range of competing priorities in challenging timescales
* Support the directorate to meet its ambition for closer service alignment with the NHS to improve outcomes, respond to need and make better use of system resources
* Support the directorate to develop closer working partnerships both internally in Leeds City Council and externally with key partners particularly from the voluntary sector and the NHS
* Develop governance and contractual arrangements to enable joint decision-making and to share resources effectively between partners for both internal and externally delivered services
* Support the Directorate to meet its statutory obligations, particularly in relation to the commissioning of placements for children looked after and commissioning of services which meet the needs of children with SEND or those with an Education Health and Care Plan
* Support the Children and Families directorate to fulfil its commercial requirements, ensuring that it is compliant with national Public Contract Regulations and the Council's Contract Procedure Rules in relation to the awarding of contracts and payments to external providers of children's services
* Ensure that we listen to the voice of children and involve children, young people, parents, and other key individuals and that decisions about service delivery makes best use of data and respond effectively and measurable to identified need
* Manage governance processes and support political engagement to ensure effective and timely communication of key messages and decision making relating to contracting, commissioning activity
* Oversee management of provider markets to respond to directorate sufficiency needs and to take the lead on quality assurance and contract management of external contracts
* Provide strategic leadership to the directorate's engagement with the Third Sector recognising its role as both a commissioned provider but also its capacity to function as community anchor or strategic partner to deliver the objectives of the Leeds Children and Young People's plan
* Lead service reviews and service transformation on behalf of the directorate for both internally and externally delivered service activity
* Oversee the development of a traded offer of commissioning activity which seeks to develop our directorate capacity
* Lead and support commissioning and procurement activity on behalf of our city and regional partners
* Provide system leadership within a health partnerships and third sector infrastructure context and develop programmes to achieve shared outcomes with system resources
* Develop needs assessments of identified population groups to inform decision making for commissioned and internal services
* Produce commissioning strategies, sufficiency plans and provider market management activity to respond to identified need
* Develop service design, specifications and performance frameworks which accurately describe service requirements
* Procurement activity which is compliant with legislation and ensures that the directorate secures the best quality and price for commissioned services, contract management and quality assurance of commissioned services
* Apply research skills to identify local, regional, national, and international best practice and its utility in Leeds
* Deputise for the Chief Officer - Resources, Transformation and Partnership to represent the directorate corporately within Leeds City Council and within the wider partnership in Leeds and the Yorkshire and Humber Region
* Develop and drive a culture which puts customers first and where everyone can realise their potential and feels they count
* Build strong and dynamic relationships and networks and build trust with individuals and partner agencies to deliver better outcomes for Leeds City Council
* Manage, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focusing on equality of outcome
* Undertake financial and budgetary management of commissioned and other services, identify efficiencies and develop mechanisms for sharing resources between partners, in line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework
* The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade
* Interpret and act on new legislation and policy change, interpret and present complex data and information to inform decision making at a senior and partnership level
* Provide system leadership within a health partnerships context, develop programmes to achieve shared outcomes with system resources
* Lead, manage and provide strategic direction to a complex programme of commissioning activity on behalf of the Children and Families directorate including undertaking
* Development of needs assessments of identified population groups to inform decision making
* Production of commissioning strategies, sufficiency plans and provider market management activity to respond to identified need
* Development of service design, specifications and performance frameworks which accurately describe service requirements
* Procurement activity which is compliant with legislation and ensures that the directorate secures the best quality and price for commissioned services
* Contract management and quality assurance of commissioned services
* Build strong and dynamic relationships, networks and build trust with individuals and partner agencies
* Evidence of developing and driving a culture which puts customers first and where everyone can realise their potential and feels they count
* Apply principles of Outcome Based Accountability (OBA) and Left Shift through commissioning activity which seeks to intervene early to prevent the escalation of need and reduce the need for more costly interventions for children and families
* Lead and develop service teams to deliver complex change programmes and manage a range of competing priorities in challenging timescales
* Provide commercial advice to senior colleagues regarding the commissioning of services, ensuring that the directorate complies with national and corporate procurement rules
* Strong IDS skills and ability to interpret and present complex data and information to inform decision making at a senior and partnership level
* Deliver sensitive and complex messages in a constructive way, presenting information with honesty and clarity through both in person and through virtual methods
* Provide appropriate briefings both written and verbal to a range of audiences including Elected Members, senior managers and multi‑agency boards and partnerships
* Apply research skills to identify local, regional, national and international best practice and its utility in Leeds
* Delegate effectively on behalf of the Chief Officer - Resources, Transformation and Partnerships and Children and Families Leadership Team more broadly to represent the interests of the directorate with a broad range of internal and external partners
* Significant knowledge of commissioning practices covering all parts of the commissioning cycle
* Support the directorate to interpret and act on new legislation and policy change
* Demonstrate ability to manage budgets effectively, to identify efficiencies where required and to develop mechanisms for sharing resources between partners
* Demonstrate knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information applicable to relevant strategic functions such as child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection. Promote compliance with Leeds City Council policies and procedures
* Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues including significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and members of the Corporate Leadership Team which commands respect, trust and confidence
* Detailed understanding of commissioning in supporting local authorities to make placements and meet the statutory requirements for children looked after and those with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
* Detailed knowledge of policy and legislation related to procurement and commercial activity including national Public Contract Regulations (PCRs), and LCC Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs)
* Educated to degree level or higher
* Significant experience of working in commissioning, preferably within a Children and Families context
* Excellent collaboration and communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility with stakeholders locally, regionally and nationally
* Innovation, drive and a clear passion for improving the lives of the city's most vulnerable young people
* Experience of successful leadership and management of complex projects
* Detail knowledge of policy context and statutory legislation for local authorities related to the provision of services for Children and Families
* Knowledge of restorative practice approaches and the principles of Think Family within the context of services to children, young people and families
* Knowledge of the NHS, Adult Social Care, Third Sector and other partners' roles in meeting the identified needs of child and families as part of a Think Family approach
* Knowledge of demography and geography of the city of Leeds as well as partnership structures in place to respond to city and locality priorities
* Substantial senior leadership and management experience in a service or operational area relevant to commissioning
* Substantial experience in building credible and effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Directors, elected members, Trade Unions, colleagues and partner organisations to understand future challenges and deliver effective workforce solutions
* Experience of work with senior management to shape and influence delivery of the council's strategic priorities at City, Directorate and Service level ensuring people issues are kept at the forefront
Education & Experience
* Educated to degree level with substantial senior leadership and management experience in a service or operational area relevant to commissioning with a commitment to continued development
* Educated to degree level or higher
* Significant experience of working in commissioning, preferably within a Children and Families context
* Excellent collaboration and communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility with stakeholders locally, regionally and nationally
* Innovation, drive and a clear passion for improving the lives of the city's most vulnerable young people
* Experience of successful leadership and management of complex projects
Benefits
* Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
Working Context
Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.
Behavioural & Other Characteristics
* Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities and a resilient sustainable city
* Be aware of, promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures such as health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection
* Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti‑discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures
* Understand and observe Leeds City Council approach to equality, diversity and inclusion
* Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies
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