Children’s Social Care Commissioning Manager

Children’s Social Care Commissioning Manager

Initial 3-month contract | 35 hours per week
£300 per day (Umbrella)
Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office (Morden Civic Centre)

Merton Council is seeking an experienced Children’s Social Care Commissioning Manager to join our Integrated Commissioning Team on an interim basis. This is a critical role at a time of significant development within our placements portfolio, with a particular focus on strengthening our commissioning arrangements for vulnerable children and young people.

About the Role This role will lead high-priority areas of children’s social care commissioning, with a strong emphasis on:

• Placements commissioning, including fee negotiation and commercial management
• Finalising future arrangements for semi-independent accommodation (16–18) and associated housing pathways
• Shaping and developing the residential care market, including contributing to the potential development of a new children’s home in Merton
• Driving commissioning change, improving quality, value for money and outcomes
• Delivering service reviews, market analysis and specification development
• Ensuring effective contract management, performance monitoring and safeguarding-led commissioning processes

This post sits within Merton’s Integrated Commissioning function across Children’s Services, Public Health and the NHS, offering a collaborative environment and the opportunity to influence strategic transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day commissioning across a portfolio of children’s social care services
• Conduct market analysis, needs assessments and service reviews
• Develop commissioning strategies, service specifications and procurement activity
• Negotiate competitive and sustainable placement fees and contractual terms
• Manage provider performance, quality and outcomes
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal partners, providers and young people
• Contribute to market shaping, innovation and strategic service development
• Provide expert commissioning input to senior management and multi-agency boards

About You We are looking for candidates with:

• Significant experience in children’s social care commissioning, particularly placements commissioning
• Strong skills in fee negotiation and market management
• A track record of delivering commissioning change, service improvement and successful procurement
• Experience with semi-independent accommodation, residential care pathways or care leaver housing options (highly desirable)
• Ability to analyse data, write reports and present confidently to senior stakeholders
• Understanding of the statutory framework for children’s services and safeguarding
• Excellent relationship-building, project management and communication skills

Contract Details

• Duration: Initially 3 months (extension possible)
• Hours: 35 per week
• Rate: £300 per day (umbrella)
• Location: Hybrid – 3 days per week in Merton Civic Centre, Morden