Barking Council - Head of Adult Commissioning

This will be an intial 12 month contract but may well go on for another 3 months.

Post Location

The post is in Care and Support Commissioning and reports directly to the Commissioning Director. It makes up one of 6 Heads of Service in this Service Block alongside:

• 2x Heads of Commissioning (Children's and Disabilities).
• 1x Head of Performance and Intelligence (spanning Adults, Children's, Public Health, Community Safety and Early Help).
• 1x Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance.
• 1x Head of Targeted Early Help

Service Composition

The Adults' Commissioning Unit comprises:

• 2x Lead Commissioners (Innovation and Personalisation and Older People).
• 2x Commissioning Managers (mixed portfolios)
• 1x Digital Project Co–ordinator
• 1x Information and Engagement Manager

• 1x Head of Brokerage and Market Management
• This sizeable service includes responsibility for Brokerage, Placement Finding and Provider Quality and Improvement across Adults and Childrens, as well as the Equipment and Adaptations team.

Context and priorities

The Adult's Commissioning Unit, whilst small, functions well. Over time it has taken on an increasing volume of responsibility and part of our immediate plans involve increasing the capacity of the service in the context of the integration agenda.

Barking and Dagenham has a committed Social Care market, though it continues to be challenged by its size and the delicately balanced – and significantly pressurised – funding arrangements. As a London Borough with high levels of deprivation, need, alongside poor health outcomes demand is a constant challenge, as is balancing the budget. We remain ambitious for our residents and have embarked on a highly innovative digital transformation journey that is well underway. Priorities for the coming year include:

1. Restructure and recruitment of the Commissioning function (not limited to Adults Care and Support – will be delivered alongside change in Children's and Disabilities Commissioning).
2. The development and commissioning of a better articulated adults prevention offer in conjunction with Public Health, Operational services, the 'front door', the voluntary and community sector and the wider health system.
3. A revamp of the deployment of our Better Care Fund and how we plan for – and articulate – the impact of this, particularly in relation to Place and NEL ICB.
4. Redesign and re–procurement of our Homecare and Reablement models.
5. Development and publication of the next iteration of our Market Position Statement (jointly across Commissioning).
6. Develop and deliver our two–year Digital Roadmap.
7. Prepare for the CQC inspection, particularly the 'Care Provision' theme.

Whilst much focus has been – and remains – upon getting the basics right; and there are certainly areas that continue to need strengthening, there is an increasing need to build on these basics – and explore more creative, and even radical, solutions to the challenges that we face.

The incumbent post–holder goes on Maternity Leave from the end of August, and we are seeking to have a significant period of overlap with the interim post–holder – partially to ameliorate pressure; and partly to ensure a high–quality handover.

What are we looking for?

A candidate experienced in this type of role (see the JDPS for greater specificity), with strong subject matter expertise in Adult Commissioning, who is confident that they can provide stable leadership to the service whilst at the same time being comfortable driving improvement, change and innovation at pace.

This is a challenging role at a challenging time.

The daily rate will be negotiable for the right candidate.

If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV in the first instance.