Sandwell Children's Trust

Head of Commissioning & Provider Services
Permanent, Full time with Hybrid working supported
£72,145 - £82,163 per annum

Additional Benefits:

Relocation package up to £6500
Defined benefits pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 20.5%
Annual leave of up to 31 days plus 8 Bank Holidays, plus a concessionary day at Christmas, plus up to 5 additional days for long service recognition and the opportunity to buy up to 10 additional days holiday
Paid birthday off - in addition to the annual leave entitlement
Employee benefits scheme including lease cars, bike scheme, salary sacrifice for new technology and high street discounts
Service awards from 2, 5, 10 and every 5 years onwardDeadline for applications is Sunday 18th May 2025

At Sandwell Children's Trust, we firmly believe that the voice of the child should be at the centre of everything we do. We are on an ambitious journey to ensure that children and families in Sandwell are safe and empowered to thrive.

Join our journey as our Head of Commissioning & Provider Services

As part of Sandwell Children's Trust's on-going journey, we are looking to appoint a Head of Commissioning and Provider Servies. This is an incredible opportunity for a visionary leader to join us during this transformational period. As the Head of Strategic Commissioning & Provider Services, you will spearhead our newly formed department, encompassing the Trust's Ofsted-rated Good Internal Fostering Agency, Hollies Family Time Centre, strategic commissioning, and home-finding (placements) functions.

You will play a pivotal role in planning, managing, and delivering high-quality services that align with our mission of creating better futures. This position requires a balance of strategic vision and operational expertise to ensure we commission responsibly while achieving the best outcomes for children and families.

Commissioning and home-finding plays a key role in delivering the strategic objectives and it is more important than ever that we organise and commission support that not only maintains and enables the development and delivery of good quality effective services; but also ensures we are seizing new opportunities, commissioning responsibly, and getting the best financial and social value for public expenditure within a balanced budget which also brings new opportunities, innovation and collaboration.

Your role is crucial in leading the development of high-quality relationships with both internal and external partners throughout the Trust and the wider Sandwell and Metropolitan Borough. This engagement fosters strong leadership and ambitious goals for our families and adults, who are essential stakeholders in all our commissioning decisions.

Your Key Responsibilities as Head of Commissioning & Provider Services

Develop and manage services with a focus on quality, innovation, and social value.
Forge strong relationships with internal and external partners, driving system-wide improvements for children and families.
Champion co-designed solutions and preventative strategies, working collaboratively to build resilience for children, young people, adults, parents/carers and communities.
Deliver the key aspects of the Trust's Sufficiency Strategy in relation to this role.
Align resources effectively, focusing on evidence-based approaches to achieve clear, measurable outcomes.
Being clear and consistent about the outcomes we expect and judging what we do against them.Your skills & attributes as the Head of Commissioning & Provider Services

A strong track record of strategic commissioning and home finding experience within a children's services setting.
Experience of relevant Fostering regulations and national minimum standards to be able to offer management and leadership support to the registered manager for the IFA to build high quality services 
An understanding of the policy context and knowledge of current relevant legislation and statutory duties/best practice in the field of children's services.
A strong track record in creating & sustaining successful partnership working, problem solving and leading teams. 
Proven experience of directly impacting high quality, effective services through improvement initiatives, bringing innovation and efficiency whilst maintaining value for money.
You will be knowledgeable, enthusiastic and experienced in-service reform programmes and an excellent understanding of the agenda for children.Why Sandwell Children's Trust?

By joining our team, you will be making a real difference in the lives of children and families. We are dedicated to driving meaningful change and ensuring the best outcomes for those we serve.

Deadline for applications is Sunday 18th May 2025, or a confidential discussion about this role, please contact our recruitment partners at Baltimore Consulting.

Together, let's create a brighter, safer future for Sandwell's children.

(We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation so please do get in contact)

Sandwell Children's Trust are passionate about creating and evolving a diverse workforce and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant.  Recruiting decisions are based on your experience and skills.  Any reasonable adjustments in the workplace will be fully supported during the application and hiring process

Please find below links to JD/PS

Head of Strategic Commissioning and Provider Services JD.mht

Head of Strategic Commissioning and Provider Services PS.mht