Provision Planning Officer

Job Introduction

Exciting opportunities with the Education Sufficiency and Place Planning Team

Provision Planning Officer – Early Years and Childcare

Salary: PO1 £37,036 - £39,513 - 35 hours per week, but will consider part-time hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Hybrid / Worcestershire

Team: Education Sufficiency & Place Planning, Worcestershire County Council

Closing date: 5pm Sunday 3rd May

Interview date:  Monday 18th May

Start date:  as soon as possible

The opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced and motivated officer to lead on early years and childcare sufficiency planning across Worcestershire. This is an exciting time to join us, with national early years reforms, rising demand, and significant new housing developments creating new challenges and opportunities for local childcare provision.

You’ll play a key role in ensuring that Worcestershire’s families can access high‑quality, inclusive and sustainable early years and childcare places—both now and in the future.

About the Team

The Education Sufficiency and Place Planning Team makes sure the Council meets its statutory duty to secure sufficient, high‑quality early years and childcare provision. We work collaboratively with early years providers, schools, internal council teams and wider partners to promote parental choice and ensure diverse, inclusive childcare across the county.

Our work is fast‑paced, forward‑looking and shaped by strong relationships with the sector.

About the Role

As the Early Years and Childcare Provision Planning Officer, you will take the lead on analysing, planning and shaping the supply of early years and childcare places across Worcestershire. You will:

• Collate and analyse supply and demand data, identifying areas of pressure and advising on how capital funding should be allocated.
• Lead delivery of the annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and develop the action plan to address local needs.
• Coordinate assessment of capital funding bids from early years and childcare providers.
• Advise and support schools that are opening, expanding or changing their early years provision.
• Supervise a Provision Planning Analyst, supporting the development of high‑quality data modelling and forecasting.
• Engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders including PVI providers, schools, internal council teams and developers.
• Provide expert guidance on provision planning, including contributions required from new housing developments (Section 106).

Your work will directly shape local childcare provision and help families access the early education and childcare they need.

About You

This role would suit someone who:

• Has experience of the early years and childcare sector and understands how the market operates.
• Enjoys working with data, analysing trends and making evidence‑based recommendations.
• Can confidently manage projects and lead workstreams independently.
• Works well with partners and can build strong, positive relationships with providers and schools.
• Is proactive, organised and able to meet tight deadlines while planning ahead.
• Brings a positive attitude, personal responsibility and a strong customer focus.

If you’re ready for a new challenge and want to make a real impact for children and families in Worcestershire, we’d love to hear from you.

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive employer culture – we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer

How to Apply

Please review the Job Description and Person Specification and submit an application outlining how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria.

If you would like any additional information or an informal conversation about the role, please contact Nicky Burford nburford@worcestershire.gov.uk or Rachel Kiernan rkiernan@worcestershire.gov.uk and request a call. 

Application Closing Date: 5pm Sunday 3rd May