Commissioning Officer

Role Overview

This position with Gloucestershire County Council is centered on managing contracts within the commissioning team, including those related to foster homes, residential care homes, or supported accommodation for older young people.

Primary Duties

• Collaborate with the placement finding and contract management team.
• Lead contract monitoring in specific areas, such as residential care.
• Participate in stability meetings concerning children and young people, ensuring adherence to contractual notice periods.
• Coordinate with Social Workers and providers to facilitate contract modifications based on individual child or young person needs.
• Maintain detailed records and paperwork for each child in placement.
• Engage in a duty rotation to handle urgent placement searches for same-day home finding.
• Work closely with Gloucestershire County Council's internal fostering service.

Candidate Profile

This role is fast-paced, requiring the ability to meet tight deadlines efficiently. The successful candidate will be part of a dedicated team focused on placement finding and contract monitoring to manage existing homes for children, supported by administrative staff. Daily communication occurs through Microsoft Teams calls and chat channels. The team fosters a collaborative approach, driven by commitment to securing suitable homes for every child or young person.

Working arrangements include 1 to 2 days per week in the office at Shire Hall, with flexibility to work onsite daily if desired. Core working hours are 9 AM to 5 PM to meet service demands.

The position involves handling sensitive information about children, therefore an enhanced DBS check and local record checks are mandatory.

About Gloucestershire County Council

• Offers flexible and agile work options.
• Annual leave starting at 25.5 days increasing to 30.5 days after five years of continuous service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days of leave per year (pro-rated for part-time employees).
• Family-friendly policies and benefits to support employees and their families.
• Opportunities for career growth and qualifications.
• A supportive work environment with regular supervision.
• Enrollment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counseling and advice.
• On-site Occupational Health services.
• Employee discount programs.
• Cycle to Work initiative.
• Salary Sacrifice Green Car Scheme subject to terms and conditions.
• Connections to employee networks including Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network.

Additional Information

Applicants should have the legal right to work in the UK with the ability to commit to at least six months of employment; sponsorship is not available. Priority in shortlisting will be given to existing Gloucestershire County Council employees on the redeployment register or those at risk of redundancy. Commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals is essential. Fluency in spoken English is required for this customer-facing role.

The role supports hybrid working, balancing remote and office attendance to meet both organizational and individual needs.