Learning Disability/Autism Health Equality Commissioner
Fixed Term / Secondment Opportunity until 30th September 2026
Part Time, 29.6 hours per week (0.8 FTE)
£58,933 to £69,332 per annum FTE, £47,146 to £55,465 pro rata
Grade: HAYPP|D|
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style:
Closing Date: 18th November 2025 (23:59)
We are seeking to appoint a highly organised professional to cover maternity leave within the Learning Disability/Autism Health Equality Team.
This person will work across Southend Essex and Thurrock (SET) Partnership of Integrated Care Systems and Local Authorities to develop and implement strategic and operational commissioning plans and deliver cross system programmes of work to deliver improved health equality outcomes for children, young people and adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism.
This person will have specific responsibility for leading the team’s strategic priorities of the Children and Young People portfolio, this will include the Transforming Care CYP steering group, joint working with partners from health, education and social care as well as acting as the commissioning and contract management lead for relevant services.
This person should have experience of working with people with Learning Disability and/or Autism and be committed to co-development with people with lived experience.
They should also have a background in health, social care or third sector programmes and be able to manage multiple projects across a complex system.
The role is part of the broader Learning Disability and Autism Health Equality Team, which works on behalf of the SET Partnership and is hosted by Essex County Council. Line Management will be by the Associate Director.
Organisational Accountabilities
This role sits within the Learning Disability/Autism Health Equalities Team, who hold delegated authority on behalf of the SET Transforming Care Partnership to deliver the all-age Health Equalities programme for autistic people and/or those with a learning disability.
This role has specific responsibility for delivering solutions for children and young people, with an emphasis on Transforming Care (now known as the Learning Disability and Autism Programme) and Health Equalities. As such, postholders are required to have knowledge and skills in areas of both mental and physical health.
They will hold expertise on the application of national policy and guidance pertaining to a reduced reliance on inpatient care and institutionalisation more broadly, improvement of services and delivery and experience of managing relationships with key stakeholders to bring about systemic change.
This role has clear deliverables and budgetary requirements set within the overall requirements of the Health Equalities Team delivery plan. The CYP Commissioner is ultimately responsible to the Associate Director.
Role Accountabilities
Responsible for the planning, development and delivery of commissioning plans to improve health outcomes for Children and Young People with learning disabilities and / or autism and achieve the national targets set within the NHS Long Term Plan, Building the Right Support and Transforming Care.
Utilise specialist skills, knowledge and experience to deliver a number of key commissioning projects on time and to budget.
Lead individuals and teams, including those employed through other organisations, to ensure clarity and purpose, commitment to being evidence based and achieving outcomes.
Responsible for highlighting new challenges and maximising opportunities; understanding the landscape to ensure that risks and opportunities are identified and managed ensuring compliance with all policies and key performance indicators.
Accountable for the management and review of commissioned services to ensure compliance with contracts and service level agreements and that they are fit for purpose.
Develop and build strong and effective relationships with a broad provider market including health, social care and third sector providers, to ensure ability to exert influence and contribute to market shaping.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
1. Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience and evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
2. Subject Matter Expert (SME) in health commissioning and/or health programme activity in a functional area.
3. Experience of working with and for people with Learning Disability and/or Autism
4. Significant experience of designing and joint commissioning activities and projects.
5. Knowledge and experience of all aspects of the commissioning cycle, project life cycle and related activities gained within a health programme environment.
6. Experience of delivering public services in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
7. Experience of working in a political environment and able to evidence breadth of thinking.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about ) on our careers site
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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