SEND Commissioning Officer

Job Introduction

About Us

We have a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to join the Start Well Commissioning Team we are committed to helping every child and young person thrive. As part of the Team, we work across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector to design and deliver services that improve outcomes for children, young people and families. We have an exciting opportunity to join the Team on an 18-month fixed term contract as a Commissioning Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing commissioning team at a time of significant transformation. Do you want to make a difference for children and families and help deliver better outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Oxfordshire?

You will play a key role in delivering SEND reforms, improving inclusion, supporting sufficiency planning and ensuring children and young people receive the right support at the right time. Our approach is rooted in prevention, co-production, evidence-based commissioning and delivering value for money.

About the Role

We are looking for a motivated and ambitious Commissioning Officer to support the commissioning, development and monitoring of services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

You will work alongside commissioners, operational teams, schools, health partners, providers, children, young people and families to shape effective services that meet local needs and improve outcomes.

The role offers a broad range of opportunities across the commissioning cycle including needs analysis, service design, procurement, contract management, market development and service improvement. You will contribute to strategic programmes including SEND Reform, Alternative Provision, Short Breaks and wider Start Well transformation priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support commissioning projects across the full commissioning cycle.
• Analyse data, performance information and stakeholder feedback to identify needs, gaps and opportunities.
• Contribute to service reviews, business cases, strategies and transformation programmes.
• Work with providers to improve quality, performance and outcomes.
• Support contract management and monitoring arrangements.
• Undertake market engagement and support provider development activities.
• Work collaboratively with education, health, social care and voluntary sector partners.
• Support co-production activities with children, young people, families and carers.
• Contribute to producing reports, presentations and recommendations for senior leaders and governance boards.
• Contribute to SEND Sufficiency Planning, Alternative Provision developments and wider SEND improvement initiatives.

About you

If you are looking at developing your knowledge and experience of commissioning services for children and young people, we are looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.

You will have:

• Experience of commissioning, service development, project management, service quality improvement or contract management in education, health, social care or a related field.
• Knowledge of SEND, inclusion, education services or children's services.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data and evidence.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of working collaboratively across organisations and partnerships.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills.
• A commitment to co-production and involving children, young people and families in decision-making.
• An understanding of value for money, outcomes-based commissioning and continuous improvement.

Rewards and benefits

• Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays)
• Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Agile and flexible working arrangements.
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Range of family friendly policies
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
• A comprehensive learning and development programme.
• Career progression opportunities within commissioning and children's services.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Oxfordshire.

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact us at: Andrea.Cochrane@oxfordshire.gov.uk