At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives.
About the Team
B&NES Council has recently launched our new Strategic Commissioning Hub, which is a strategic initiative aimed at improving efficiency, standardising commissioning processes, and enhancing service delivery for the residents of B&NES.
The Strategic Commissioning Hub will bring together the commissioning, contract management, quality assurance and market oversight functions of Childrens Services, Adult Services and Public Health into one integrated team.
About the Role
B&NES Council is seeking an enthusiastic Commercial and Quality Support Officer to join an exciting new commercial team to support the contract management, quality assurance and market oversight work of this team. This will involve collaborating with professionals, stakeholders, and providers to ensure services deliver positive outcomes and deliver value for money in a safe and effective manner.
The postholder will report to the Commercial and Quality Support Manager. They will be responsible for conducting contract management work, quality assurance visits, investigating service complaints or non-contractual compliance as well as the prevention of placement breakdown.
Key Responsibilities:
- Contract Management: Support the Commercial and Quality Support Manager to manage contracts related to children's placements, ensuring compliance with all contractual and legal obligations.
- Quality Assurance: Conduct quality assurance work, which will also include visits to placement providers to ensure standards are met and maintained.
- Collaboration: Work closely with providers and children's social care teams to stabilise placements and address any issues that may arise.
- Fee Negotiation: Negotiate fees with providers to ensure cost-effective solutions while maintaining high-quality care.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify areas for enhancement and implement best practices across placements.
This role will involve occasional site visits, so we also require someone who has a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
About You
B&NES Council is looking for someone who can develop and maintain professional and positive working relationships with providers whilst providing challenge where needed, has experience in managing quality or performance, and has a focus for the continuous development of how they work.
An in-depth knowledge of children’s social care and the children’s placements market, including fostering, residential and supported accommodation is desirable but not essential.
You will have.
- Advanced knowledge and/ or experience of commissioning, contract work and quality assurance.
- Experience of conducting quality assurance visits and writing reports.
- Understanding of frameworks, contracts, and contractual compliance.
- Understanding of any legislative changes that could impact on the way in which commissioned contracts are developed and monitored, especially within the social care service area.
- Experience of partnership working and developing services with partners.
- Experience of conflict resolution and negotiation.
- Excellent communication skills in all forms with the ability to influence, use empathy to understand complex situations, and to advise others.
- Excellent IT skills.
We require someone who can speak English fluently and will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.
We welcome people with lived experience or on secondment from the third sector organisation.
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Alex Hughes, Commercial and Quality Support Manager, by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 01225 477917.
Interview date: 30th and 31st July 2025.
About Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Working at Bath & North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.
Why Bath & North East Somerset Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve peoples live. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity
We are a Disability Confident Employer find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.
