Joint Commissioning Officer

This role is pivotal to achieving commissioning objectives across SEND, ensuring that children and young people in Coventry can access the right support at the right time, across Children's Services and Education. You will lead the commissioning of services for children, young people, and their families, including the implementation and mobilisation of provision within communities and the development of sustainable contracting arrangements that secure value for money across health and social care.

This includes overseeing / commissioning of services such as:

• Therapies, including Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) and Occupational Therapy (OT);
• Provision required to deliver Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes, including mental health support;
• Transformation commissioning-related changes identified within SEND and as part of the reforms, such as the Experts at Hand (EAH) model;
• Independent Specialist School Placements.

While the role has a strong commissioning focus, it also encompasses wider service development across SEND. You will work in partnership with social care, education, health, and the broader system to identify needs, shape provision, and support the development of integrated and innovative models of care. Through collaborative partnership working, you will contribute to delivering high-quality, evidence-based services for children and young people with SEND needs, including disabilities and/or mental health conditions, enabling them to live independent and fulfilling lives.

This includes supporting the implementation of new reforms in Coventry, such as Experts  role offers opportunities to jointly commission services with local partners and agencies, as well as to deliver on priority areas already identified within the commissioning programme. All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Appointment is therefore subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

You will be an experienced and knowledgeable commissioner/programme officer, capable of leading commissioning processes, research, managing multiple complex projects, facilitating change/service developments, ensuring clear processes are in place, and building strong relationships with stakeholders. Your ability to identify solutions and shape a diverse range of services across health and social care will be essential. Equally important will be your capacity for innovative thinking and your commitment to developing effective, efficient provision that improves outcomes for children, young people, and their families.

You will bring excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and use complex information to develop evidence that informs the design of services across social care, health and education. Strong communication skills are essential, including a proven ability to produce clear, high-quality reports and papers that support collaboration and secure commitment from partners to develop services collectively.

You will have a sound understanding of health and social care, alongside the ability to engage confidently in commercial discussions and oversee formal procurement processes.

In line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles.

• Open and fair:
  We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop:
  We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower:
  We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate:
  We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable:
  We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect:
  We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

The wider Commissioning and Partnership Service ensures that good-quality, value-for-money services are in place for children and families, enabling support to be delivered as close to home, school, family, and community networks as possible. The service plays a central role in developing strong, effective partnership working across agencies, collaborating with the health…