About the role
You will play a crucial role in ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). You will apply your strong understanding of commissioning within education, health, or social care to provide expert monitoring and oversight of complex cases. This position requires you to represent the team in internal and external forums and multi-agency discussions, making decisions that prioritise the well-being of young people while ensuring the efficient use of public resources. You will also build strong relationships with commercial providers and conduct essential quality assurance to confirm that young people are safe and supported.
* Providing oversight and monitoring for complex cases, including those that are jointly funded or involve high-cost, bespoke provision.
* Serving as a key representative in decision-making forums and multi-agency discussions.
* Building and maintaining relationships with commercial providers while undertaking crucial quality assurance activities.
* Working closely with the wider SEND service to advise on complex cases and contribute to service operations.
* Leading projects related to your area of expertise to help develop the SEND Commissioning function.
* Line managing or providing guidance to other members of the SEND Commissioning Team, and occasionally deputising for the SEND Commissioning & Partnerships Lead.
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the role please contact Dominika Mroczek via dominika.mroczek@achievingforchildren.org.uk
About you
* Educated to a degree level and/or significant experience of commissioning in this or a related area
* Experience in leading a team, undertaking line management, performance management and change management.
* Understanding of relevant SEND legislation (including Children & Families Act 2014 & SEND Code of Practice)
* Significant experience of market shaping and management, needs analysis, development of sustainable commissioning strategies/intentions, stake-holder engagement/consultation, contract management and performance of placements for SEND and social care.
* Experience of building strong partnerships, maintaining relationships and co-producing solutions to challenges across a diverse set of stakeholders, including significant experience of working with providers to promote cost effective working relationships maximising customer experience and positive outcomes for service users and their carers/families.
* A passion for Achieving for Children's vision, mission and values (trust, empower, respect) to support children and young people to live safe, happy, healthy and successful lives.
* Strong organisational abilities including: time management, creative-thinking, problem-solving and multitasking and to work flexibly and independently with limited management oversight.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
* 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
* Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
* Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
* Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
* A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
* A range of staff benefits and discounts
* An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
Note: This description reflects current benefits and may be subject to change.
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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