Torbay Council is hiring a Head of Children's Services Commissioning

Torbay Council is seeking a Head of Children's Services Commissioning for a fixed-term secondment. This role will lead a commissioning team supporting Torbay Children's Services, the SEND Priority Improvement Plan, and transformation within Children's Social Care. You will work in close partnership with colleagues across Children's Services and external partners.

What You'll Do

• Lead and manage a team delivering a diverse portfolio of commissioning projects and programmes across Children's Services.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Support commissioning across Torbay Children's Services.
• Support the delivery of the SEND Priority Improvement Plan.
• Support the ongoing transformation within Children's Social Care.

What We're Looking For

• Proven ability to work autonomously and without direction to meet the requirements of the role and Council priorities.
• Proven ability to work on and prioritise multiple projects across a diverse range of subject matters encompassing all Children's Services activity.
• Ability to deal with conflicting and ever changing priorities, in relation to own workload and that of direct reports.
• Ability to demonstrate motivational, negotiation, challenge and influencing skills required to secure buy-in and best outcomes.
• Ability to demonstrate the leadership and management skills necessary to effectively lead, manage and support direct reports.
• Extensive knowledge of Children's Services commissioning in a local authority context.
• Specialist knowledge and understanding of the full commissioning cycle, including needs assessment, co-production and market appraisal.
• Extensive knowledge of key social care, education, health and other relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks and policy guidance.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding, at a local and national level, of current and future trends and issues affecting the Commissioning and delivery of children's services.
• Educated to Degree level or equivalent or demonstrable academic ability / experience in relevant field.
• Relevant commissioning qualification such as Institute of Public Care (IPC) or equivalent, or willingness to work towards a relevant qualification.
• Demonstrable experience of the successful commissioning of services for children, young people and their families.
• Demonstrable experience of partnership and collaborative working across a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience of co-production/ and consultation with service users, carers and other key stakeholders in the design and delivery of outcomes-focused services.

Team & Environment

You will lead a commissioning team within Commercial Services (Finance Directorate) and work closely with Procurement and Contract Management teams. The role requires close partnership with the Director, Divisional Directors and Heads of Service across Children's Services.

Work Mode

This role requires onsite work.

Torbay Council values being respectful and collaborative, adaptable and forward thinking, people orientated and relational and acting with honesty and integrity.