Placement and Commissioning Officer

**About Us**
The West Sussex approach puts the child first. We work with children, families, communities, our partners and schools in a restorative, strength-based way. Strong relationships are at the heart of what we do.

Operating within the Children, Young People and Learning Directorate, we have a good understanding of how local, regional, and national education, health and social care markets operate and the ability to identify and manage opportunities and risk.

Working closely with internal and external partners we are focussed on creating positive outcomes for Children, Young People and Families, and we have the optimism and enthusiasm to achieve this.

**About The Job**
Salary**:NJC Grade 8 £28,371 to £31,099
Working Pattern: Full Time
Contract Length: Fixed Term
Location: Worthing area

You will deliver a customer focused and efficient service, contributing to the Directorate objectives of securing best value support services through the effective management of a portfolio of low risk/low value contracts/services, and identifying placement options for the children and young people we care for.

Contributing to the management of a portfolio of contracts and placements, you will initiate, establish, quality assure, monitor and review services and placements with external providers. Working with a range of other WSCC services, you will make a real difference to the lives of children and young people we care for by seeking the best available placements and support services.

The role will involve working across all areas of the commissioning function, but you will be primarily based in either Placement Identification or Contract Compliance and Monitoring.

You will cover a duty rota, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and will also need to be able to travel to various locations, including to other counties which may involve overnight stays.

**Experience and Skills** Key Skills**:

- Excellent literacy and numeracy skills to understand the referral processes, tender documents and contracts, and to check statistical financial information and other documents.
- Ability to present information clearly, concisely, accurately and in ways that promote understanding, either verbally or in written/electronic form, and have sound and accurate IT skills.
- Good analytical skills to interpret complex information, with the ability to organise, plan and meet set targets.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of partners and create and maintain effective working relationships. This will include the ability to negotiate good outcomes and advise and guide others to make sound decisions.
- Ability to work on your own initiative, anticipate problems, present solutions, and make frequent informed decisions
- Ability to work flexibly as required across different areas within the Children’s Services Commissioning Team, embrace change and have the flexibility to respond to the needs of the service.

**Qualifications and/or experience**:

- HNC or equivalent qualification or experience demonstrating that level of numeracy, literacy and communication skills.
- Experience of working in brokerage and/or contract management - Desirable
- Experience of working within Children’s Services - Desirable
- Experience and enthusiasm for work within a department to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.
- Experience of working as part of a team, independently and with a range of professional groups.

**Rewards and Benefits**
As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity you will receive:

- A competitive salary
- A generous pension scheme
- Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring
- Flexible working
- A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers with the opportunity to save over £1,000 (Including: Argos, Samsung, Asos, B&Q and many more)
- Free access to employee assistance programmes
- Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
- A range of commuting and business travel discounts and initiatives

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.

**Further Information**
The reference number for this role is CAFHE04403.

Job Reference: CAFHE04403