21 Oct
Achieving for Children
Richmond
Job description
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
Placements Commissioning Officer
As a Placements Commissioning Officer, your key responsibility will be to assist in the delivery of Placements Commissioning services across Social Care, SEN and Health in the most efficient and cost-effective ways.
Responding to requests from Social Care Practitioners to identify suitable placements / care provision that support choice, independence and cost objectives.
You will do this by liaising with providers and assessors to identify appropriate and available provision.
Delivering delegated activities in relation to Placements Commissioning, undertaking quality assurance tasks (including visits) to ensure compliance with agreed processes and standards including regulatory and inspection frameworks, Contract Management and take responsibility as part of a project team supporting the activities of the Placements Commissioning Service.
About the role
As a Placements Commissioning Officer, you will responsible for :
- Commissioning suitable placements across Social Care, SEN, Health and Housing economy and to ensure package and placement costs with providers are secured within contractual framework, securing 'value for money' and quality.
- To review contracts and service level / placement agreements through appropriate monitoring and contract compliance systems and to liaise with professionals, undertake monitoring visits and investigations as necessary to ensure the service meets agreed standards and have necessary safeguards in place to protect vulnerable clients.
- All delegated activities in relation to commissioning, contract management, policy and planning activity as identified and to contribute to the delivery of strategic commissioning intentions identified as part of the Commissioning Service.
Please note successful shortlisted candidates will be invited to sit a skills test as well as a verbal interview.
For further information about this role, please contact Sharon Rooprah by email for an informal discussion.
About you
To be a Placements Commissioning Officer,
you will be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people as well as demonstrating the following :
- A professional understanding of all the legal aspects of placements and commissioning activity and acting professionally when faced with difficult situations.
- An understanding of issues relating to children’s, education, health and social care services. Awareness of relevant policies and policies of other public bodies relating to Children’s Services and Adults Services.
- Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection in relation to social care legislation
- Good communication and interpersonal skills that are open and persuasive including negotiation and influencing skills.
- Strong organisational abilities including : time management, creative-thinking, problem-solving, multitasking, an ability to use your own initiative and to prioritise workloads to meet agreed deadlines and work with others to resolve challenges and work in a solution focused manner.
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 with an additional day off in your birthday month(Or for term term workers,
your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract.)
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- 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
Start dates : Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month.
Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
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 for right to work guidance.
Equality : We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams.
Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
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).
For more information about AfC : Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
▶️ Placements Commissioning Officer
🖊️ Achieving for Children
📍 Richmond