Solantys
Service Manager – Children's Strategic Commissioning
Dudley
£500/day
Posted about 11 hours ago
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We are Hiring: Service Manager – Children’s Services Commissioning
Directorate: Children's Services
Division: Commissioning & Support
Day Rate: £500 per day
IR35 Status: Inside IR35 (Yes)
Employment: Contract
Role Purpose
Lead the strategic and operational commissioning, procurement, contracting, and market development for Children's Services to ensure high-quality, cost-effective services that improve outcomes for children, young people, and families. Drive SEND and Social Care sufficiency, strengthen provider markets, and deliver innovative commissioning solutions through effective partnership working and robust contract management.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the commissioning, procurement, contracting, and placement functions across Children's Services, ensuring statutory compliance and value for money.
- Develop and implement SEND and Social Care Sufficiency Strategies and commissioning plans aligned to Council priorities.
- Deliver commissioning programmes that support efficiency savings and Medium-Term Financial Strategy objectives.
- Lead market development, provider engagement, and contract management to ensure sufficient, high-quality provision both within and outside the borough.
- Promote joint commissioning with Council departments, Health, Adult Social Care, and external partners to improve integrated service delivery.
- Drive innovation, co-production, and new service models that improve outcomes while reducing duplication and costs.
- Ensure compliance with procurement legislation, contract regulations, financial governance, and Council policies.
- Lead commissioning responses to legislative, regulatory, and policy changes at local and national levels.
- Oversee commissioning of voluntary and community sector services, supporting the Council's vision and the Child Friendly Dudley agenda.
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Management Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the SEND Commissioning, Social Care Commissioning, and Placements teams.
- Manage staffing, budgets, contracts, and operational resources to achieve service objectives.
- Drive service planning, performance management, continuous improvement, and organisational change.
- Lead workforce development, performance reviews, recruitment, disciplinary investigations, and employee wellbeing.
- Provide strategic leadership across Directorate and corporate management teams.
Partnership & Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with providers, NHS partners, schools, voluntary organisations, and regional networks.
- Represent the Council at local, regional, and national forums.
- Secure external funding opportunities and lead commissioning-related bids.
- Promote effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and co-production with children, families, and communities.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure all commissioning activities comply with procurement legislation, safeguarding requirements, financial regulations, and corporate governance.
- Champion equality, diversity, inclusion, and community cohesion across all commissioned services.
- Lead safeguarding responsibilities within commissioned services and ensure statutory obligations are fully met.
- Participate in emergency planning and out-of-hours responsibilities as required.
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Essential Experience & Skills
- Significant senior leadership experience in commissioning, procurement, or contract management within Children's Services, Social Care, SEND, or related public sector services.
- Strong knowledge of commissioning frameworks, procurement legislation, contract management, and market development.
- Experience developing and delivering sufficiency strategies and large-scale commissioning programmes.
- Proven ability to manage complex budgets, deliver savings, and improve service performance.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and driving organisational change.
- Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, partnership-building, and influencing skills.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, children's legislation, SEND reforms, and local government governance.
Special Requirements
- Enhanced DBS (Children and Adults).
- Full UK driving licence with business-use vehicle insurance and valid MOT (where applicable).
- Willingness to travel and participate in out-of-hours/emergency duties when required.
Connect with me at arushigar@solantys.com
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Skills
Strategic Commissioning
Procurement
Contract Management
Market Development
SEND Sufficiency
Social Care Sufficiency
Budget Management
Stakeholder Management
Partnership Building
Safeguarding
Legislative Compliance
Service Planning
Performance Management
Organizational Change
Co-production
Public Sector Leadership
Location