Head of Children’s Commissioning
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is seeking a Head of Children’s Commissioning, to shape, influence and lead the commissioning of high‑quality, sustainable and outcome‑focused services for our children and families. Barking and Dagenham is ambitious for all our children and families and committed to delivering high‑quality, sustainable services in a challenging and fast‑changing environment.
Reporting directly to the Director of Commissioning, Commercialisation and Innovation, this is a senior, high‑profile leadership position with responsibility for shaping services, managing significant budgets and risks, and delivering system‑wide improvement in partnership with health, housing, voluntary, community and faith sector and other partners. You will play a pivotal role within the council, ensuring that commissioned services are high quality, cost effective and focused on improving outcomes for our children and young people.
Special requirements for this post
If you bring substantial experience of commissioning, strategic planning and system-wide transformation across children and young people’s health and care, including SEND, then this is a significant opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of families within the borough. You will lead the development and delivery of our children, young people and families commissioning strategy, to enable an integrated approach and alignment between a number of strategic programmes, with a strong foundation on prevention and early intervention.
About you
We are looking for a strategic, forward‑thinking and influential commissioning leader with: • A strong background in commissioning within children’s social care or related fields • Experience of market development, procurement, contract management and quality assurance • The ability to work collaboratively with partners, providers and communities • Excellent analytical, financial and commercial judgement • A track record of delivering transformation that improves outcomes and sustainability • Strong leadership skills, able to motivate and empower teams and drive a culture of improvement • Confidence in representing the council regionally and shaping system‑wide approaches
About us
Barking and Dagenham is ambitious for all our children and families and committed to delivering high‑quality, sustainable services in a challenging and fast‑changing environment. This is an exciting time to join the borough, as an innovative and experienced children's commissioning leader, at a time of national reform and policy changes in children’s service reforms including Special Education Needs(SEN)reforms; Best Start in Life family hubs; Families First programme, all of which will change the way we commission and provide services for children and families.
Additional Information
For an informal chat about this role, please contact the recruiting manager Jo York on email Jo.York2@lbbd.gov.uk.