Commissioning Policy & Planning Officer

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Commissioner to join our team on a temporary, full-time basis (37 hours per week) until 31 July 2028. In this pivotal role, you will lead and support the commissioning of high-quality, outcome-focused children's social care services that deliver value for money. You will be at the heart of our ambition to improve outcomes for children, young people and families, while ensuring services are financially sustainable, innovative and aligned with national reform.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will take a lead role in developing the children's independent accommodation, care and support provider markets, ensuring that provider developments align with our local sufficiency priorities. You will lead on, and contribute to, a range of projects focused on the commissioning of Independent Fostering Agencies, Children's Homes and Supported Accommodation, to address identified sufficiency gaps and priorities at both local and regional levels.

You will be responsible for analysing market intelligence and matching provision to the needs of local children in our care. You will develop option appraisals and business cases, lead procurement exercises, and work closely with the Strategic Commissioning Manager to monitor, evaluate and report progress to senior leaders.

We encourage you to contact Mark Smith, Strategic Commissioning Manager for Children and Young People's Services, via mark.smith@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will need a degree or recognised professional qualification in social care, health, housing, social policy, research, management, education, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

Applicants will also need:

• Understanding of commissioning and placement brokerage processes;
• Substantial experience within a relevant area including some policy and/or project work;
• Experience and knowledge of multi-agency working within social care, health or housing;
• Evidence of successful developments in sphere of work.

The post holder will deliver their duties and responsibilities in line with the Council’s ‘OPEN’ values, including:

• Outcome focused – through partnership working, identifying opportunities for further integrated working and ensuring value for money;
• People focused – through a focus on person centred solutions for Service Users and unpaid carers and by undertaking engagement / co-production activity to understand the range of needs of local people;
• Empowering – by working together with internal and external stakeholders and taking a lead role in the commissioning of allocated social care services;
• iNnovative – by identifying and implementing new and creative solutions / services to meet local needs.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be in held 11th November 2026.

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.

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. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

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.

HOW TO APPLY
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.

Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support your application and for guidance on completing your application.

If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentAHS@durham.gov.uk

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.

CONNECT WITH US
Follow us on Instagram
Like us on Facebook
Visit our website

Attachments

• Commissioning Policy Planning Officer G12 JDPS Accessible.docx