Location: Westmorland and Furness
Contract Type: 37 hours per week, 2 Permanent Roles
About this opportunity
Have you ever considered working in a role to find homes for cared for children?
This Commissioning Assistant role is within the External Placements Team which is part of the Commissioning & Procurement Service.
The External Placements Team sources Foster Care, Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation placements for cared for children and Education placements for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The team works operationally to search for and secure high quality external placements with independent providers, utilising commissioned frameworks and contracts, due diligence requirements and other processes. The role also entails issuing contractual documentation, responding to queries and supporting the implementation of other work required across the team.
You will be based in a friendly, supportive and busy team, and will work closely with key partners including Children’s Social Care teams and external providers.
Who we are looking for…
You will be confident, self-motivated and:
- highly organised and IT literate
- able to record data accurately and keep it up to date
- a good communicator who can build strong relationships with colleagues and key partners
- able to work to deadlines
- able to work closely with colleagues
- able to assist with analysis and interpretation of key information.
You do not need a background in or commissioning or placement finding but must be able to demonstrate understanding of this area and show where your skills can meet the requirements of the role. The team have adopted a hybrid approach, working from both home and the office.
What can we offer you!
Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)
Would you like to find out more?
For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:
- Post Specification
- Role Profile
If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Sarah Page on 07785 293 596
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 3rd June 2026
Interview date: 12th or w/c 15th June
We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.
If you experience any technical difficulties applying for this role, please contact the HR Systems Team at
[email protected].
Safer Recruitment & DBS
At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.
