About Us
We have a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to join the Start Well Commissioning Team as a Senior Commissioning Officer. This role works across Education, Social Care and wider system partners to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
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? The role is on a 2-year fixed term contract and will play a key part in delivering the DFE SEND Reform programme, with a particular focus on Alternative Provision (AP) and the development of the Experts at Hand offer.
At Oxfordshire County Council, we work in partnership with local organisations to deliver integrated services that support children, young people and their families. Through the Oxfordshire Way, we are focused on prevention, strengths-based approaches, and improving outcomes for our residents.
Our Start Well service plays a leading role in shaping services for children and families, working across organisational boundaries to improve quality, sufficiency and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
About the Role
As a Senior Commissioning Officer, you will lead commissioning activity that delivers improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND. You will play a key role in delivering SEND Reform priorities, including moving to a tiered Alternative Provision (AP) model and the development of innovative models within the Experts at Hand offer.
You will act as a system leader, working collaboratively with partners to design, develop and deliver high-quality, evidence-based services that meet current and future needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Work as part of the Start Well Commissioning Team, reporting to the SEND Strategic Commissioner, to support commissioning and transformation Programmes.
- Lead and support commissioning activity linked to SEND Reform priorities, specifically Alternative Provision (AP) and Experts at Hand.
- Contribute to SEND Transformation projects, including service redesign, market development and performance monitoring.
- Work with a wide range of stakeholders to assess and understand the needs of Oxfordshire children and families with SEND.
- Support the development and implementation of a three-tiered model of Alternative Provision and Experts at Hand model to ensure services deliver improved outcomes.
- Work closely with children, families, providers, schools and partners to co-produce services
- Support commissioning across independent and alternative provision to ensure quality, value for money and positive outcomes for children and families.
- Provide expert advice, business cases and analysis to inform decision-making
About you
- A strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
- Knowledge and at least 2 years’ experience of commissioning with a strong understanding of SEND and experience of supporting service development in education, social care or health services.
- Strong partnership and stakeholder management skills and ability to work effectively across multi-agency environments.
- Excellent communication, analytical, report writing, organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and meet deadlines.
- Experience in the SEND sector and knowledge of the reforms, alternative provision and ability to apply innovation to service delivery is desirable.
You will be motivated by making a positive difference to children and families in a complex, fast-paced environment.
Rewards and benefits
- Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays) (pro rata)
- A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- 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.
- Excellent learning and development opportunities
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, full time and 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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