Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RA
Salary: £35,451 - £39,165 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Working Hours: 25.9 hours a week (pattern to be discussed with successful applicant but looking for coverage over 4 days)
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 5th May 2026
Interview Date(s): 21st May 2026
Are you passionate about ensuring that children, young people and their families/carers receive high-quality support at the right time to achieve their full potential?
Would you like to help make a difference to the lives of children and young people through effective commissioning – including procurement, brokerage of services, quality assurance and monitoring of contractual arrangements?
Do you have an awareness of the Commissioning Cycle and commissioning practices?
If so, this could be the role for you.
About the Role
Successful candidates can expect to undertake a variety of tasks, including:
- Quality Assurance – Undertake quality assurance meetings and visits with providers such as Independent Non‑Maintained Special Schools and Alternative Provisions, as well as other commissioned providers delivering services to children and young people who may have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
- Contract Monitoring and Review – Complete annual contract management meetings with the above providers to ensure services are delivered in line with contractual expectations and achieve positive outcomes for children, young people and their families/carers.
- Brokerage and Negotiation – Broker education services and placements for young people, including Independent and Non‑Maintained Special School placements and other commissioned education services and manage all associated tasks relating to the brokerage of education services as required.
- Governance and Procurement – Support the commissioning of services across the Children and Family Service ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and local Contract Procedure Rules and coordinate internal commissioning requests, ensuring a focus on outcomes and value for money.
Whilst the post will initially focus on supporting the commissioning arrangements associated with the Holiday Activities Fund, the Commissioning Service also provides support across the department in relation to Targeted Early Help and Children’s Social Care Services and Education, Inclusion and Additional Needs. At times, due to service demands and/or changes in the way that the service operations, successful candidates may also cover duties in those areas.
For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex‑offenders, please see our policy statement.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
- NVQ4 or equivalent qualification or equivalent work experience, along with previous professional experience or familiarity with settings as named above and knowledge and understanding of working with and meeting the needs of children and young people (and their families/carers) with complex needs, including Children in Care, children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities and the ability to work with operational staff and providers and build relationships.
- Have high levels of competency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook in order to undertake detailed analysis/evaluation of data and preparation of written and financial reports and also the ability to prioritise, work to deadlines and deliver several written reports within agreed time frames.
- Proven ability to prioritise, work to deadlines and deliver a number of smaller projects simultaneously.
- Proven ability to develop credible and collaborative relationships with internal and external partners and across multi‑disciplinary boundaries and stakeholders.
- Proven ability to problem‑solve and to constructively challenge existing customs and practices.
- An understanding of commissioning practices and the Commissioning Cycle, with the ability to apply these principles to day‑to‑day work.
- An understanding of the outcomes required to ensure meaningful activities, respite opportunities, care packages and educational placements for children and young people.
We will consider reasonable adjustments for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
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