In Barnsley we believe in working collaboratively with our families and are excited to have implemented our Stronger Together Practice model which supports our Signs of Safety and restorative approach. When you join us, you can join our exciting journey and have access to a full suite of development and training opportunities.

We are an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ Children's Services and a double award-winning, high-performing council with a growing economy, a thriving town centre and some truly impressive outcomes in our communities. We have been awarded Council of the Year for 2023 by the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) and The Municipal Journal (MJ). Our excellent Children's Services has been a key part of our win; we’re so proud of what we’ve achieved not just for the council but for our partners and Barnsley.

We’re impressed. Are you? It’s the perfect time to join our excellent team.

We are looking for a passionate and experienced individual to lead our Children's Commissioning team. We have been transforming our approach to creative commissioning, developing strong relationships with Education, SEND and Social Care, as well as working in partnership with our Adults and ICB colleagues.

Key Priorities: As the Head of Children's Commissioning, you will be responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, development, and delivery of children's commissioning. You will work closely with key stakeholders, including service leads, providers, and community organisations, to ensure that our services meet the needs of children and families. Your role will involve:

• Leading the commissioning process for children's services, including needs assessment, service design, working with procurement to ensure compliance, and contract management.
• Developing and implementing sufficiency strategies to improve service quality and outcomes for children and families with a focus on SEND and Children Looked After.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with partners and stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration and service delivery.
• Managing budgets and resources to ensure efficient and effective use of funds.
• Monitoring and evaluating service performance to ensure continuous improvement.
• Providing leadership and support to the Children's Commissioning team, fostering a positive and collaborative working environment.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in children's services commissioning or a related field.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and best practices in children's services.
• Commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.

Interviews are scheduled to be held on Thursday 19th June 2025