Worcestershire County Council,
Exciting opportunities with the Education Sufficiency and Place Planning Team
Provision Planning Officer – Early Years and Childcare
Salary: PO1 £37,036 - £39,513 - 35 hours per week, but will consider part-time hours
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid / Worcestershire
Team: Education Sufficiency & Place Planning, Worcestershire County Council
Closing date: 5pm Sunday 3rd May
Interview date: Monday 18th May
Start date: as soon as possible
The opportunity
We’re looking for an experienced and motivated officer to lead on early years and childcare sufficiency planning across Worcestershire. This is an exciting time to join us, with national early years reforms, rising demand, and significant new housing developments creating new challenges and opportunities for local childcare provision.
You’ll play a key role in ensuring that Worcestershire’s families can access high‑quality, inclusive and sustainable early years and childcare places—both now and in the future.
About The Role
* Collate and analyse supply and demand data, identifying areas of pressure and advising on how capital funding should be allocated.
* Lead delivery of the annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and develop the action plan to address local needs.
* Coordinate assessment of capital funding bids from early years and childcare providers.
* Advise and support schools that are opening, expanding or changing their early years provision.
* Supervise a Provision Planning Analyst, supporting the development of high‑quality data modelling and forecasting.
* Engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders including PVI providers, schools, internal council teams and developers.
* Provide expert guidance on provision planning, including contributions required from new housing developments (Section 106).
About The Team
The Education Sufficiency and Place Planning Team makes sure the Council meets its statutory duty to secure sufficient, high‑quality early years and childcare provision. We work collaboratively with early years providers, schools, internal council teams and wider partners to promote parental choice and ensure diverse, inclusive childcare across the county.
Our work is fast‑paced, forward‑looking and shaped by strong relationships with the sector.
About You
* Has experience of the early years and childcare sector and understands how the market operates.
* Enjoys working with data, analysing trends and making evidence‑based recommendations.
* Can confidently manage projects and lead workstreams independently.
* Works well with partners and can build strong, positive relationships with providers and schools.
* Is proactive, organised and able to meet tight deadlines while planning ahead.
* Brings a positive attitude, personal responsibility and a strong customer focus.
What We Offer
* A supportive and collaborative team environment
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
* Opportunities for professional development
* Inclusive employer culture – we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer
#J-18808-Ljbffr