Staying Close Commissioner

**Some key information**
- Are you looking for a career move supporting children moving on from care?
- Are you outcome focussed, wanting the best for Somerset children?
- Do you want to be part of an innovative and supportive team

If yes, an exciting opportunity has arisen within the **Children’s Commissioning Team** to work as a** Commissioning Officer** overseeing the delivery of the Staying Close pilot which supports older children in care to prepare them to live independently when the time is right.

One of the main aims of this role is to implement a new ‘Staying Close’ approach which provides an enhanced support package for young people leaving care from children’s homes. It provides an offer of move-on accommodation, alongside a package of practical and emotional support, provided by a member of staff from their former children’s home or from someone who they know and trust.
- Flexible working is available, using a hybrid model - working from home and your contracted work base.
- 30 days annual leave
- **Fixed term/secondment until 31/05/2025 or on the return of the substantive postholder if earlier**

**What will I be doing?**
We’re working to improve the lives of children in care in Somerset - and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

- Working with a range of professionals to embed a new ‘Staying Close’ approach across Somerset
- Designing a new approach with young people to ensure we get it right
- Learning all aspects of commissioning and project management
- Working closely with our providers and partners who provide children’s homes

**What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?**
We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you:

- Are highly organised
- Are a good problem solver
- A good negotiator and influencer
- Have well developed verbal and communication skills

A background in children’s services would be advantageous

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

**What's in it for me?**
We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

- We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
- Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Staff discounts in gyms.
- Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
- Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
- A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
- My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

**Anything else I should know?**
This is a grade 10 post with a salary range of £34,834 to £39,186 per annum.

Appointments are normally made at the bottom of the salary scale.

You will be based in Taunton with a requirement to travel county wide.

**Interviews are scheduled for 30/05/2024.**

**A bit more about Somerset Council**
**DBS information**
This post requires a criminal background check via the Basic Disclosure procedure.

Job Reference: SCC04862