About Us
North Somerset Council is dedicated to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.
The Role
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced SEND Placement Commissioning Officer to join our SEND Placement Commissioning Team. The SEND Placement Commissioning Team are responsible for:
1. Managing commissioning and contractual arrangements for providing SEND placements in Alternative Learning Provision (ALP) and Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMSS)
2. Ensuring that the educational providers we use are giving children with SEND the best experience possible and ensuring they are safe, happy, and able to learn and achieve
3. Understanding and forecasting SEND need in order to inform school place planning
4. Developing plans to make the most efficient use of our resources to meet SEND needs effectively in education
The team will be comprised of two members of staff: the SEND Placement Commissioning Manager, and the SEND Placement Commissioning Officer (this role). This role will assist the SEND Placement Commissioning Manager with determining the right numbers of SEND school places, planning how these needs will be met, and providing support throughout the cycle of commissioning and monitoring placements from independent schools and alternative provision settings. The role is to assist the directorate in securing the highest quality provision within robust contractual arrangements and terms which represent excellent value for public money. This includes the provision of services provided by private and third sector providers as well as school placements for children whose needs cannot be met within the mainstream or local provision.
You will make use of rigorous contract monitoring regimes to assist with the management of the performance of contracts, and in particular outcomes for children and young people; promoting good commercial relationships where consistency in quality and value for money are established. You will work alongside colleagues in their and the SEND Teams and will also need to work in partnership with key agencies and stakeholders to assist with the co-produce and jointly commissioning of some services.
Key Responsibilities:
1. To work with Commissioning and Procurement colleagues to help ensure contracts with providers are secure and robust
2. To support with organising, preparing for, and writing reports about quality assurance visits to alternative provision settings and independent school providers, as well as supporting desktop monitoring
3. To support with supplier engagement, tender evaluation, and moderation panels, as part of regular commissioning and procurement cycles for SEND placements
4. To assist with the development and implementation of robust processes within the council to support individual placement agreements and negotiation prior to the placement start date
5. To assist with fee negotiations and the commissioning of contracts to provide value for money
6. To liaise with schools, colleges and early years settings to support appropriate placements in mainstream and SEND settings and contribute towards strategic place planning
7. To gather, update and analyse data sets that support strategic place planning work
8. To support with reporting at regular intervals for internal Boards and Working Groups that monitor, track and evaluate progress in SEND placements
9. To effectively contribute to the development of local strategies
This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.
About You
We are looking for an individual who is passionate about ensuring children and young people with SEND receive the highest quality education possible, and who possesses the following skills and experience:
Essential Criteria:
1. Experience of working in a contracts and commissioning function within a local government setting, or an ability to adapt approaches used in other sectors to a local government from initial scoping to evaluation of contract performance
2. Some experience of working proactively with the market within a commercially sensitive environment to understanding its capacity, appetite and capability in order to attract the highest quality suppliers
3. Experience of providing verbal and written reports for both lay and expert audiences to communicate progress and increase participation and ownership of commissioning activity
4. Ability to critically analyse data, information and in-person observations to accurately report on commissioning performance
5. Child-centred and outcomes driven approach to all commissioning activity
6. Good skills in partnering and the ability to influence positive change through effective partnership
7. Ability to work effectively in a local government context (legal, financial, political)
8. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
9. The ability to assimilate quickly across multiple data-sets and sources of intelligence and information
10. Ability to work as part of a strong and committed team
11. Ability to identify and manage risk, including financial risk
12. Strong organisation and administrative skills
13. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programmes
14. A good member of the team showing cooperation and flexibility
15. A good problem solver developing solutions, with confidence in making decisions within guidelines and legislative framework
16. A good understanding of the contribution the role makes to the team, service area, the directorate and the organisation as a whole and recognises how the actions of others impact on own role
Desirable Criteria:
1. Experience of engaging in a contracts and commissioning function within a school or SEND environment
2. Knowledge of SEND needs in schools and the options available for pupils locally and out of the area
3. Understanding of legislation and best practice around safeguarding in education
4. Understanding of public sector procurement practices
What We Offer
At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.
We offer:
1. Competitive salary and benefits
2. Flexible working arrangements
3. Opportunities for professional development
4. Staff groups
5. Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
6. Dedicated Wellbeing Team
7. Salary sacrifice cycle to work and Electric vehicle schemes
Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.
How to Apply
If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Contact Information
For further information about the role, please contact Finley Kidd, SEND Placement Commissioning Manager, at Finley.Kidd@n-somerset.gov.uk or 01934 426839.
Important Information
Interview Date: To be confirmed.
We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.
Equal Opportunities
At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.
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