Hays
Interim Commissioner - Children's Services
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A ambitious local government organisation is seeking an experienced interim commissioner to provide strategic support across Children's Services during a critical period of transformation and service development. This role will shape commissioning activity across children's social care, early help, education and early years, ensuring services are delivering positive outcomes for children and families whilst maintaining financial sustainability.
Your new role
You will have responsibility for commissioning, procurement, contract management, brokerage, sufficiency planning and market development and will ensure services are high quality, compliant, evidence-led and focused on improving outcomes for children and young people. You will drive value for money through effective commissioning, provider negotiations and market-shaping activity. Working closely with finance colleagues and senior stakeholders, you will strengthen financial oversight, improve forecasting and identify opportunities for innovation and service redesign. A key aspect of the role will be developing and maintaining strong partnerships across the local system. You will work closely with health partners, education providers and other agencies to ensure effective joint commissioning arrangements are in place, creating integrated solutions that meet the needs of children and families. You will also lead efforts to ensure sufficient high-quality local provision is available, reducing reliance on expensive out-of-area placements and supporting longer-term sustainability.
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What you'll need to succeed
To be successful, you will bring substantial commissioning experience gained within children's services, local government or a closely related public sector environment. You will have a proven track record of delivering complex commissioning programmes and service improvement. You will possess strong knowledge of children's social care, education commissioning, procurement and contract management, alongside experience of working across organisational boundaries to deliver successful partnerships and joint commissioning arrangements. Equally important will be your ability to influence senior stakeholders, analyse complex performance and financial information, and drive change at pace.
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What you'll get in return
You will be offered a rate between £450 - £550/day depending on experience alongside a flexible working policy of 3 days in the office and 2 at home. This is an excellent opportunity to take on a highly visible leadership role and make a meaningful impact on services that support children, young people and families. You will work alongside an experienced senior leadership team, leading key strategic initiatives and delivering lasting improvements across the commissioning landscape.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
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