Strategic Commissioning Lead Early Years & Prevention

This is a key senior leadership role within the Commissioning function for Children and Families reporting directly to the Head of Commissioning. The postholder will provide strategic leadership for services supporting children in care and care leavers shaping and delivering a clear and ambitious vision to ensure every child and young person experiences stability belonging and the opportunity to thrive.

Central to the role is the delivery of Cornwall Councils Better Homes sufficiency strategy ensuring that children and young people can live in high-quality nurturing homes close to their communities.

The postholder will lead the development and implementation of commissioning strategies and frameworks that secure a sufficient diverse and sustainable range of local provision. This includes:

• Driving innovation in contracting and procurement approaches in response to a challenging national market
• Reducing reliance on out-of-area placements
• Ensuring best value for services

Commissioning activity will be intelligence-led translating data insight and lived experience into market development service design and forward planning that improves outcomes for children and young people.

The role holder will champion relationship-based commissioning approaches embedding co-production and meaningful engagement with children young people and carers. Their voices will directly inform service models pathways and outcomes supporting improved stability transitions to independence and long-term life chances.
The postholder will also build strong partnerships across:

• Health
• Education
• Housing
• Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector

They will lead work to strengthen the local provider market build capacity and create opportunities for high-quality community-based provision while proactively managing market sustainability and provider relationships.

The role provides leadership across the full commissioning cycleanalysis planning delivery and reviewoverseeing complex programmes that balance long-term transformation with immediate placement pressures. Responsibilities include:

Contract and provider relationship management
Quality assurance and performance oversight
Governance compliance and financial management
Ensuring value for money while prioritising outcomes for children

As a senior leader within Childrens Services the postholder will bring ambition innovation and system leadership representing the Council in strategic partnerships influencing regional and national agendas and contributing to the wider transformation of services.

Full-time hours (exact working pattern to be confirmed).
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements may be available in line with service needs.

We are looking for an experienced and strategic leader with:

Significant experience in commissioning ideally within childrens services
Strong understanding of placement sufficiency and the children in care system
Experience of developing and implementing commissioning strategies and frameworks
Knowledge of procurement contracting and provider market management

You will also demonstrate:

Strong leadership and system-thinking capability
The ability to translate data insight and lived experience into strategic planning
Excellent partnership working skills across multiple sectors
A commitment to co-production and relationship-based practice
Financial and commercial awareness with a focus on value for money
The ability to lead complex programmes and deliver change in a challenging environment