Do you want your work to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in our care? This is a brilliant opportunity to join a new team in a new role where your focus will be on ensuring children and young people in our care get the right support at the right time, while securing the best value for money. This post is temporary for 2 years, however there is the possibility of it being extended beyond this point in the future.
What is involved?
You will be joining our small Durham Cares Sufficiency Programme Team, a brand new team with a clear purpose. As Sufficiency Delivery Lead, you will lead on the delivery of projects within our complex improvement programme, with the aim of reducing our reliance on costly placements. You will drive forward work to review our current arrangements and develop a detailed understanding of the provider market. You will explore new partnership opportunities, work in partnership with commissioning colleagues to assess and review existing frameworks and develop innovative internal and external solutions. You’ll also support us to find better ways to plan and develop care options that meet the needs of children and young people.
You will:
- Lead and deliver projects within the Durham Cares Sufficiency Programme, including planning, risk management and progress tracking
- Monitor and track impact, supporting the development of systems and reporting to measure outcomes and cost improvements
- Produce reports, strategies and business plans to support informed decision-making
- Work collaboratively with internal teams, partners and providers to develop solutions and improve services
- Support and deputise for the Programme Manager, helping to guide and coordinate team activity
If you would like to know more, we encourage you to contact Lindsey Herring, Durham Cares Sufficiency Programme Manager by e‑mail at lindsey.herring@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
What will I need?
To apply for this fantastic new post you will need a relevant degree and/or professional qualification and experience of:
- Commissioning within local authority or health services
- Planning/managing/co‑ordinating large projects or programmes.
- Budget monitoring and cost control.
- Working effectively with senior managers, stakeholders and colleagues.
- Working collaboratively in a multi‑professional/multi‑agency environment.
Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.
Our offer to you
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. We are committed to providing a culture where you can flourish. We will ensure you are highly supported and we encourage flexible working to achieve a good work‑life balance.
You will benefit from a range of training opportunities and professional development.
Hybrid working
Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro‑rated for part‑time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
Interview details
Interviews are expected to be held on 30 June 2026 at Spennymoor Council Offices, DL16 1JQ.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
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Company: Durham County Council
Salary: £44,075 – £48,226 Grade 12
Location: Spennymoor, Durham
Sector: Health and Social Care
Sector: Social Care
Job Role: Support Worker
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