Start for Life and Family Hub Commissioner

Venn Group; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in London seeks an Interim Start for Life and Family Hub Commissioner to lead commissioning for early years and family hub services. The role involves developing service specifications and collaborating with various partners. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in local authority commissioning. This position offers a hybrid working model and the potential for role extension.

Benefits

Recommendation scheme for candidates

Qualifications

• Experience commissioning services in local authority, early years, or public health contexts.
• Proven ability to lead cross-sector commissioning programmes and manage complex service pathways.
• Familiarity with the Start for Life programme, Family Hub models, or early intervention policy highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commissioning of early years and Family Hub services to deliver improved outcomes for children and families.
• Develop service specifications, contracts, and performance frameworks based on needs analysis and national guidance.
• Work strategically with internal teams and external partners to support joint commissioning.
• Drive male engagement through targeted programmes, like barber training focused on perinatal mental health.

Skills

Experience commissioning services in local authority

Ability to lead cross-sector commissioning programmes

Familiarity with early intervention policy

Job description

Interim Start for Life and Family Hub Commissioner

Based in East London, hybrid working

Length: 6-Months (Potential for extension)

Inside IR35

We’re working with a proactive local authority in London to appoint a Start for Life and Family Hub Commissioner to lead the strategic commissioning of early years and family hub services. This critical role supports the delivery of the national Start for Life programme and Family Hub model, ensuring commissioned services are evidence-based, outcome-focused, and tailored to local needs. You will work cross-departmentally to deliver inclusive, community-focused initiatives, developing universal early childhood groups and leading innovative engagement strategies for fathers and harder-to-reach families.

Key Responsibilities of the Interim Start for Life Commissioner:

• Lead the commissioning of early years and Family Hub services to deliver improved outcomes for children and families
• Develop service specifications, contracts, and performance frameworks based on needs analysis and national guidance
• Work strategically with internal teams and external partners (health, education, voluntary sector) to support joint commissioning
• Oversee delivery of borough-wide early childhood groups, ensuring accessibility and avoiding duplication
• Drive male engagement through targeted programmes, including delivery of a borough-wide barber training initiative focused on perinatal mental health
• Monitor performance and service impact; lead strategic reviews and recommend improvements
• Align commissioning activity with local improvement plans, delivering best value and ensuring policy compliance
• Promote strong user voice through inclusive co-production and consultation with parents and carers

Skills, experience and knowledge required of the Interim Start for Life Commissioner:

• Experience commissioning services in local authority, early years, or public health contexts
• Proven ability to lead cross-sector commissioning programmes and manage complex service pathways
• Familiarity with the Start for Life programme, Family Hub models, or early intervention policy highly desirable

To apply for this role or to find out about other jobs, please contact Dan Williams on the London Local Government Recruitment team on 020 7557 7667 or send your CV to [e-mail]

*Venn Group’s “Recommendation Scheme”: if you recommend a candidate who is subsequently placed by Venn Group (for a minimum of 2 weeks) you will be eligible for vouchers from a choice of high street organisations