Commissioning Support Officer

The role involves supporting the Integrated Commissioning Service to deliver a high-quality care sourcing and purchasing function. The post holder will be responsible for purchasing individual packages of care and support for adults on behalf of the council and for adults on behalf of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Continuing Health Care (CHC). This will ensure residents with care and support needs have access to appropriate, high quality care which will also provide value for money for the Council and ICB., The main purpose of these roles is to identify and arrange person centred, cost-effective care and support to meet the needs of a range of customers.

• Services will be sourced to meet the needs of each adult ("right support")


• Services will be sourced in a timely way ("right time")


• Services will be cost effective and within the available budget ("right price")


The roles will include:

• Using knowledge of the market and supplier relationships to source quality and cost effective care and support to meet the needs of clients funded by social care and health.


• Communicating and negotiating with the supplier market on individual spot placements and block contracts to ensure high quality care is provided at the best possible price for the Council and ICB.


• Working in partnership with the key professionals who are involved in the care and support of the vulnerable service users.



• Reporting any issues relating to suppliers, including any quality concerns.


• Responding to written and telephone enquiries from a range of stakeholders about the care and support purchasing process and progress, including care and support providers, social care and Health professionals (e.g. Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Continuing Health Care Nurses, discharge teams, hospital clinicians), other internal colleagues including commissioning staff, legal, finance and procurement.


• Maintaining accurate and succinct records throughout, including inputting financial data onto the Council's IT systems to ensure client charging and provider invoices are correct.


• Making sure that individual placement agreements, contractual agreements and purchase orders are completed promptly and accurately.


Mobile:

You will be required to work in the office a minimum of 2 days a week following your induction period. You will be provided with all the relevant equipment to support this way of working. The team works together in the office every Friday with one other day being flexible.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and resilient Commissioning Support Officer to work with us on a full-time permanent basis within the Integrated Commissioning Service., We are looking for an individual who is committed in helping us achieve improved resident and service user outcomes and value for money. You will need to have a positive outlook and enjoy working in a fast-paced, sometimes pressured but friendly environment., We are looking for self-motivated candidates who takes pride in the quality of their work and want to make a difference to the lives of our most vulnerable residents. The right candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and experience:

• A sound working knowledge of the care market, purchasing tools and approaches as well as operational policies and practice.


• Experience in negotiating and purchasing high-cost complex placements and packages of care.


• A sound understanding of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in line with current legislation and guidance.


• Respectful and valuing attitude to people who are vulnerable and a commitment to improving their life experience.


• Well-organised and able to manage caseloads in a fast paced and changing environment.


• Thorough working knowledge and practical application of Microsoft Office and related packages. Ability to utilise management information systems such as I-Cares or SAP.


• The ability to quickly develop and maintain good relationships with providers and colleagues.


• Strong attention to detail in order to maintain accurate records.
  
  Now in its forth year, Buckinghamshire Council brings together the best of the previous five councils to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.


Here's what some of the team had to say:

"I enjoy working in the commissioning team as even though it is fast paced, and challenging at times it is extremely rewarding and makes you feel like you have made a difference in someone's life be it the service user or their family for the better"., By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture


• the chance to really make a difference to those around you


• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops


• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group


• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us


• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events


At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that's why we're working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it's important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Service Area

Buckinghamshire Council's Integrated Commissioning Service plays a vital role in our Adults and Health directorate. Working collaboratively with partners across a wide range of public, private and voluntary sectors, our aim is to align strategic commissioning activities to support service improvement, value for money and improved resident and service user outcomes.

We commission a diverse range of services. These include domiciliary care, residential and nursing care, day opportunities and support living, direct payments, and carers support for unpaid carers. We also commission several NHS services, including all strands of mental health provision. This integrated commissioning between adult social care and health services has enabled us to improve the efficiency of services we provide to our residents.

To ensure sustainability and resilience for the future, we identify the need for and procure new services and contracts for both health and social care. This involves building strong relationships with staff at all levels within these services, discovering and supporting areas for development, and monitoring the quality of the services we provide to our residents. If you are committed to making a difference and enjoy working in a fast-paced but friendly environment, we want to hear from you.

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That's why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops, Microsoft Home Use Programme, and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme and the opportunity to gain membership to Costco. We have discounted gym memberships, Travel discounts with Arriva and much more.