Residential Commissioning Lead

About the job

Key information

Opportunity to design services and improve the lives of children in care and those leaving care. Lead the development and oversight of Somerset’s residential children’s homes market to ensure children and young people in care receive safe, high‑quality and appropriate homes. The role focuses on value for money, performance, and improving outcomes for children, while building effective relationships with external providers and supporting robust decision making in a complex and pressured market.

What will I be doing?

• Implementing and leading on strategies to ensure we have sufficient homes for children in care.
• Working closely with both our in-house social care teams and external providers who we commission to provide homes for children and young people.
• Collaborating with internal teams, external providers, and multi-agency partners to support home stability and quality care.
• Driving change which leads to home stability, positive outcomes and achieves good value for money.
• Managing and monitoring contracts and contributing to strategic planning.
• Use data and market intelligence to shape commissioning decisions and service improvements
• Manage urgent and high‑risk placement issues, working across services to reduce disruption
• Lead and support a small commissioning team and contribute to wider strategic forums

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

• Strong experience in commissioning or related work within children’s services or social care
• Good understanding of residential care, regulation and safeguarding requirements
• Confident in analysing financial and performance data to inform decisions
• Able to influence, negotiate and build effective partnerships
• Experience of managing work priorities and supporting others

Supporting documents and information

About the Team/Service

You’ll join Children’s Commissioning and Performance, working closely with social care, education and health colleagues. The team focuses on securing the right homes for children in care while improving quality, sustainability and outcomes across the residential market.

Any Additional Information

• The Salary for this role ranges from £49,771 to £54,142, which includes a time limited recruitment allowance of £8,000 per annum. A permanent position, 37 hours a week.
• The role includes involvement in high‑cost decision‑making panels and may require occasional travel to residential providers across the country.
• Flexible and Hybrid working
• 30 days annual leave (additional to bank holidays)

A supplement allowance of £8,000 per annum is linked to the Residential Commissioning Lead bringing the salary range to £49,771 to £54,142, per annum. This allowance is subject to National Insurance, Tax and Pension deductions and will be paid in accordance with standard payroll procedures.

The allowance is time-limited and will expire on 30/04/2029. All supplement allowances are reviewed 18 months from the original approval date and may be adjusted or withdrawn based on organisational need, role changes, or market conditions.

Please note:

If the role is re-evaluated or the salary changes as a result of the Pay and Grading Review, the allowance may be reduced or cease entirely.

If the salary changes due to the NJC Pay Award, the supplement allowance will be adjusted accordingly to maintain the intended pay differential.

We encourage all interested candidates to have an informal chat about the role, please contact Julie Breeze – Head of Service – Commissioning – Children in care on 07919 540517 or by email at Julie.breeze@somerset.gov.uk

A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.

Apply on the Somerset Council website