Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

The Commissioning Team leads on the delivery of a range of commissioning projects for looked after or vulnerable children and young people which meet identified needs and deliver value for money, and to ensure robust systems for the effective implementation and delivery of commissioned services.

The Commissioning and Partnership Service ensures that good quality, value-for-money services are in place for children and families that meet their needs wherever possible close to home, school, family and friends.  The service leads on the development of strong and effective partnership working across agencies, working collaboratively with the health sector and with other Children’s Services and Trusts across the region. 

The Commissioning Team monitor’s the quality of provision for Looked After Children, including undertaking visits to residential, fostering and supported accommodation providers, responding to complaints, developing relationships with providers and ensuring that quality standards are met. We strive to work with providers to improve their service offer for our children and young people as we believe they deserve the best outcomes.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

What is the job role?

Are you committed to improving services and outcomes for children in care? 

Do you have excellent project management skills and the ability to build successful relationships with a wide range of stakeholders? 

Can you ensure that the services we have in place for children are high quality, meet need and are value for money? 

Coventry City Council is seeking a commissioner to work in the Children’s Commissioning Team on a fixed term / secondment basis for a 12 month period.  The role involves working in partnership with stakeholders to develop, commission and implement a variety of outcome-based services for looked after children. You will take lead responsibility for the commissioning of allocated projects which may include provision such as fostering, residential and supported accommodation and additional support services such as children and families therapeutic support.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual with experience of working within a education, health or social care environment with either children and young people or other vulnerable people in an operational, commissioning or contract management role.  

You will need to be able to analyse need, develop a range of commissioning options, write complex reports and use all elements of the commissioning cycle to ensure we have the right services in place for our children.  

You will be experienced at partnership working, managing projects to deliver the desired outcomes, working in a fast paced environment and effectively prioritising and managing your own workload.  

You must have safeguarding and quality at the heart of all you do and be committed to ensuring that children and young people are involved in the development and review of services.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date: Week commencing 13th January 2025

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council