Home Finding Quality Assurance & Commissioning Officer
Job Reference: pcc/TP/659/1448
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Band 10, £42,838 to £47,181 per annum
Working Hours: 37
Location: Civic Offices
Closing Date: 16/06/2026
Job Category: Social Care Children
Region / Division: UK Region
Job Introduction
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Home Finding Quality Assurance & Commissioning Officer to join our Home Finding & Commissioning Team within Children We Care For Services. This is a vital role focused on ensuring that children and young people who cannot live with their families are placed in safe, high-quality homes that meet their individual needs, promote stability, and reflect their identity.
Key Responsibilities
As a Home Finding QA & Commissioning Officer, you will:
* Conduct quality assurance visits (announced and unannounced) to residential homes, fostering agencies, and supported accommodation providers across the UK
* Carry out due diligence checks on providers, assessing safeguarding practices, staffing, compliance, and Ofsted outcomes
* Monitor Ofsted notifications, escalating risks and advising senior leaders on action
* Lead provider risk profiling, identifying and tracking concerns and performance issues
* Develop and oversee provider improvement plans to raise standards
* Work collaboratively with safeguarding partners, including the LADO
* Provide enhanced oversight on high-risk or complex placements
* Contribute to commissioning processes, including provider evaluation and market development
* Support contract monitoring and ensure compliance with agreed standards
* Produce clear, evidence-based reports and maintain audit-ready records
* Respond effectively to concerns, complaints, or safeguarding issues
* Advise colleagues on provider suitability and placement matching
* Participate in multi-agency meetings and risk panels
* Support urgent responses where immediate safeguarding concerns arise
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a motivated and analytical professional who can balance quality assurance, safeguarding, and commissioning priorities.
* A Level 4–5 qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as Children & Young People’s Services, Health & Social Care, Social Care Practice, Education/Youth Work, Psychology, or Commissioning.
* Experience in one or more of the following: quality assurance, contract monitoring / commissioning, children’s residential, fostering, or supported accommodation services.
* Strong knowledge of Ofsted frameworks, National Minimum Standards, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.
* Proven ability to analyse quality data and identify risk, produce clear reports and improvement plans, and challenge providers constructively and professionally.
* Excellent communication, report‑writing, and organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
* Ability to manage competing priorities independently, handle sensitive safeguarding issues with confidence, and work collaboratively across agencies.
* A full driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.
Working Arrangements
You will be required to work a minimum of two days per week in the office as per Hybrid Working Policy.
Please note: You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. We do not sponsor for this position.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard, committed to equal opportunities for all.
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