SEND Commissioner

Baltimore Consulting Limited; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Baltimore Consulting Limited is seeking an experienced SEND Commissioner on a 6-month interim contract with an immediate start to shape commissioning decisions across SEND and Alternative Provision programmes.

The role involves strategic challenge, governance oversight and collaboration with Children's Services senior leaders to drive sufficiency planning and service transformation with an on-site requirement of 2 days per week.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as SEND Commissioner within a Local Authority environment.
• Strong experience of SEND commissioning, Alternative Provision and sufficiency planning.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive service improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead discussions on Specialist Local Provision and future commissioning priorities/outcomes.
• Support finalisation of the SEND & Alternative Provision Joint Commissioning Strategy with stakeholder buy-in.
• Review placement and sufficiency pressures and identify risks with strategic interventions.
• Provide oversight for Brokerage Audit ensuring clear ownership and accountability.
• Contribute to commissioning governance development and future decision-making plans.

Skills

SEND commissioning

Alternative Provision

Sufficiency planning

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

SEND Commissioner
6-Month Interim Contract Immediate Start
400 per day
Inside IR35 (via umbrella)
2 Days On-Site

CVs are being reviewed immediately, with interviews taking place at short notice.

Are you an experienced SEND Commissioner looking for an opportunity where your influence will shape strategic commissioning decisions across high-priority SEND and Alternative Provision programmes? This is an exciting opportunity for a SEND Commissioner to work at the centre of commissioning, sufficiency planning, governance and service transformation, helping to drive critical decisions and strengthen outcomes for children and young people.

As a SEND Commissioner, you will work closely with senior leaders across Children's Services, providing strategic challenge, assurance and direction on key commissioning priorities. If you thrive in complex environments, can manage competing priorities, and have a strong understanding of SEND commissioning and sufficiency planning, this role offers the chance to make an immediate impact.

Your Role as SEND Commissioner:

• Lead discussions on Specialist Local Provision, driving agreement on future commissioning priorities and outcomes.

• Support the finalisation of the SEND & Alternative Provision Joint Commissioning Strategy, securing stakeholder assurance and buy-in.
• Review placement and sufficiency pressures, identifying emerging risks and recommending strategic interventions.
• Provide oversight and readiness support for the Brokerage Audit, ensuring clear ownership and accountability.
• Contribute to commissioning governance development, including governance frameworks and future decision-making plans.

Your Previous Experience as SEND Commissioner:

• Proven track record as a SEND Commissionerwithin a Local Authority environment.

• Strong experience of SEND commissioning, Alternative Provision and sufficiency planning.
• Demonstrable expertise in strategic commissioning, governance and partnership working.
• Ability to identify, assess and mitigate complex operational and strategic risks.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and driving service improvement programmes.

This is an excellent opportunity for a SEND Commissioner who can quickly build credibility, provide strategic challenge and support critical commissioning activity at a pivotal time. With key decisions approaching and significant programmes progressing, you will play a vital role in ensuring priorities remain on track and risks are effectively managed.

Due to the fast-paced nature of interim recruitment, applications are reviewed as received and client requirements may change during the recruitment process.

Whilst we endeavour to review all applications, we may not be able to respond individually to every candidate.

Submission of an application, expression of interest or right to represent does not guarantee submission to a client, interview, placement, or engagement. Recruitment decisions ultimately remain subject to client requirements, availability, suitability, and selection processes.

Baltimore Consulting is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices, and all applications are considered based on the requirements of the role and the information available at the time of review