Commissioning and Contracts Officer

About The Role

Working Hours:

35 Hours per week

Contract Type:
Full time / Temporary (24 Months)

Working Style:
Hybrid - Employees split their time between working remotely and working on-site.

Closing Date: 06 July 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method:
Face to Face

• Legal right to Work:
  In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice.

• Promotes innovation, creativity and continuous improvement within placement and commissioning activity.
• Kind, reliable and approachable, with a good sense of humour and a strong commitment to going the extra mile for children.
• Understands the critical importance of effective placement‑finding and the impact this can have on children’s lives, both immediately and long‑term.
• Can manage pressure and complexity calmly, making balanced and well‑reasoned decisions, and working collaboratively to solve problems.
• Has experience of organisational processes, managing change and handling complex or sensitive issues.
• Is able to support the effective and efficient delivery of brokerage and commissioning activity, working closely with operational services, providers and partner agencies, including health colleagues.
• Children Services Knowledge and experience.
• An understanding of young people transitioning to adult social care and the challenges they face.
• Understanding of housing legislation and the challenges faced by young people to find accommodations.
• Ability to manage contracts and to create contracts.
• Experience of using a provider portal would be desirable.

The Post 16 Hub Worker plays a key role in supporting young people as they move towards adulthood, helping to secure the right accommodation, support, and services at the right time. The role works across children’s services, adult social care, commissioning, providers, and transition teams to coordinate plans for young people with a range of needs, including those with complex or high‑risk circumstances.

The post is important in preventing crisis situations, reducing delays in transition planning, and ensuring young people have stable and suitable support arrangements. As part of a small team, the worker contributes to both day‑to‑day operational activity and wider partnership working to improve outcomes for post‑16 young people.

• Support transition planning for young people moving into post‑16 services.
• Work closely with social workers, transition teams, adult social care and commissioning colleagues.
• Liaise with providers to identify suitable accommodation and support options.
• Help coordinate packages of care and support for young people with complex needs.
• Monitor placement availability, risks, and emerging pressures within the post‑16 market.
• Attend multi‑agency meetings to support planning and decision‑making.
• Escalate urgent cases where accommodation or support is at risk of breaking down.
• Maintain oversight of young people awaiting suitable post‑16 provision.
• Contribute to reducing emergency placements and unplanned moves.
• Support strong partnership working between internal teams and external providers.
• Keep accurate records and provide updates on key cases and service pressures.
• Contribute to service development and improving post‑16 sufficiency planning.

• Generous holiday allowance – Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• Pension – You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up…