Commissioning Support and Innovation Officer
(Children’s Commissioning and Quality Team)
£33,699 pa
There has never been a better time to be part of South Tyneside’s Children’s Commissioning and Quality Team. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of committed and supportive individuals and make a real difference to the outcomes for children, young people and their families in South Tyneside!
We are a small team with a big heart and are seeking to welcome a Commissioning Support and Innovation Officer to support our development as an innovative, quality-focused strategic commissioning team across children’s services.
About the role:
As Commissioning Support and Innovation Officer, you will provide high-level operational and business support across commissioning, quality assurance and improvement functions within Children’s Services. You will support the development and implementation of commissioning strategies, service reviews, quality monitoring arrangements and innovation projects that improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
Working closely with providers, partners and colleagues across the wider system, you will help drive continuous improvement, support market engagement and sufficiency activity, contribute to quality assurance processes, and lead on delegated work programmes including SEND and Short Breaks brokerage functions.
The role offers the opportunity to contribute to strategic developments while maintaining a strong focus on operational delivery, data analysis, performance monitoring and stakeholder engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the delivery of commissioning and quality improvement programmes across Children’s Services.
- Lead on delegated areas of work, including SEND and Short Breaks brokerage.
- Develop and maintain tracking, monitoring and reporting systems to support service performance and governance.
- Analyse and present data and intelligence to support decision-making, service reviews and needs assessments.
- Support contract management, procurement and service mobilisation activity.
- Undertake audit preparation, thematic reviews and quality assurance activity.
- Engage with providers, children, families and partners to support co-production and service development.
- Contribute to the development of business cases, option appraisals, service specifications and innovation projects.
- Support the development of quality, performance and monitoring frameworks.
- Promote a solution-focused, restorative and strengths-based approach across all aspects of the role.
About you:
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual who is professionally curious and committed to improving outcomes for children and young people. You will have experience of working within social care, education, health or a related environment and an understanding of commissioning, quality assurance, service improvement and performance monitoring.
You will be highly organised, confident working with complex information and data, and able to build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Strong communication skills, excellent time management and the ability to work flexibly using your own initiative are essential.
You should hold a minimum Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant subject and have advanced Microsoft Excel and Word skills. Experience of commissioning processes, project work, collaborative partnerships and continuous improvement approaches will be highly valued.
Most importantly, you will share our commitment to innovation, quality and asking ‘What More is Possible?’ for the children and families we serve.
For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Hannah Clark, Children’s Commissioning and Quality Manager on (0191) 424 7668 or
[email protected]
We offer an excellent benefits package and further information is available here - www.southtyneside.gov.uk/workinghere
South Tyneside Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure will be sought along with other relevant pre-employment checks.
We do not currently offer skilled worker visa sponsorship.
To view our Privacy Notice please visit: https://southtyneside.gov.uk/article/2780/Privacy-notice-for-job-applicants
Please note that if you apply for this role, all communication regarding your application will be sent to the email address that you have registered with North East Jobs, please ensure you check your junk mail.
Closing date: Noon, 21 August 2026
Interviews will take place week commencing 7 September 2026 