Decision details

The Assistant Director for Commissioning and Partnerships post became vacant in December 2021 after the previous post holder left the authority. This has provided an opportunity to rethink the current arrangements in the light of wider system changes and the evolving need of the directorate. Approval is now sought to restructure the children and young people’s commissioning function initially on an interim basis. This proposal, if approved, will continue the delegation of the function to the Director of Education, Skills and Early Years, on behalf of the whole directorate. It will also ensure system wide flexibility, positioning us to take advantage of the development of integrated commissioning intentions including the Integrated Care System and resultant changes to current CCG functions. In addition, this will realise a saving from the overall staffing budget.
Interim arrangements for the Children and Young People’s Commissioning Team would enable senior leaders to have flexibility moving forward as Oldham, Greater Manchester and national agendas emerge and develop.
It is also recommended as part of these proposals that the Commissioning Team is known as Children and Young People’s Commissioning rather than Startwell.

Interim arrangements for a fixed term ensure we do not commit to a permanent structure, allowing a flexible approach to adapt as the direction of the Integrated Health and Care System evolves avoiding unnecessary redundancy or TUPE implications.
The interim structure will ensure that children and young people’s commissioning functions remain a priority within the scope and control of children’s service contributing to Directorate outcomes and performance
The proposed structure options consider the need for increased placements and sufficiency capacity in order to meet the increasing demands of children’s social care and contribute to sufficiency plans to reduce the reliance on external high cost out of borough placements. The recruitment of an additional G6 Placement Officer will enable a G10 post to deliver strong strategic oversight including quality assurance, sufficiency and GM/Northwest Framework developments.
Re-distributed commissioning capacity will ensure consistency, accountability, contract management and quality assurance, and will work across the directorate on community-based services, placement providers, Oldham Learning, SEND including personalization developments and Virtual School activities and provision.

Option 1 -
Diagram of proposed structure attached in document.
The cost would be £354,210 resulting in a saving of £39,470
Option 2 -
Diagram of proposed structure attached in document.
The cost would be £313,290 resulting in a saving of £80,390
The recommended option is Option 1.

Option 2 -
Diagram of proposed structure attached in document.
The cost would be £313,290 resulting in a saving of £80,390

Consulted with Finance, Procurement, Legal and HR colleagues.