Send Commissioning and Placements Officer

Job Information

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us

We are responsible for the entire range of children’s education, health and social care services in all three boroughs. We use a Signs of Safety practice model and approach which ensures the voice of the child is at the heart of everything we do. There’s never been a better time to join AfC, we are growing our workforce, implementing new flexible working arrangements and have increased our virtual wellbeing offer.

Placement and Commissioning Officer will work within Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Commissioning sector and support the Commissioning Manager in achieving the expected and desired outcomes through effective commissioning activities.

About the role

You will contribute to the delivery of operational and strategic commissioning intentions identified as part of the SEND Commissioning Service. This will include supporting the establishment of relationships with internal and external suppliers and organizations that deliver services and support that meets the needs and outcomes of children and young people. Working closely with the SEND Commissioning Operations Manager, you will deliver delegated activities or products in relation to commissioning, fee uplifts and negotiations, contract management, policy and planning activities as identified and with the potential for a small amount of placement sourcing in highly complex cases. You will assist in the delivery of jointly commissioned services across the education, health and social care economy in the most efficient and cost effective ways to ensure value for money. You will support the Commissioning Manager in developing and implementing action plans to deliver agreed strategies and key priorities.

About you
- Educated to a degree level or with substantial professional experience.
- Minimum Level 3 qualification with English and math to Level 2 (GCSE grades 9-4 or equivalent)
- Experience of building strong partnerships, maintaining relationships and co-producing solutions to challenges across a diverse set of stakeholders,including children, young people and their families. Advocating the voices of those we are working with.
- Experience in fee negotiations, fee uplifts, SEND placement commissioning and relationship building with the stakeholders
- Proven ability to effectively use qualitative and quantitative data, intelligence and evidence to create meaningful insight and to inform own decision making.
- Knowledge of statutory legislation (ie. SEND Code of practice) and national policy drivers that will affect children’s SEND services and your role

About our benefits

We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:

- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years.
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Stable and supportive leadership
- Hybrid and mobile working (between home and work) with latest technology to facilitate this
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway

To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children For our social work offer

Important Information

**Right to work**: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.

**Safeguarding**: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).