At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team as a Clerical/Admin Assistant, taking minutes for sensitive children's social work meetings.
- Company: West Dunbartonshire Council is a top flexible employer dedicated to supporting families and communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25+ days annual leave, and access to wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your admin skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Previous admin experience and strong communication skills are essential; minute-taking experience preferred.
- Other info: Candidates will complete a minute-taking test during the interview process.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Job Description
PAY AWARD PENDING.
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Post 1 – Church Street, Dumbarton Post 2 – Aurora House, Clydebank
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Vacancies has arisen for Clerical/Admin Assistant within West Dunbartonshire HSCP Children & Families Team.
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The main duties of this post include taking comprehensive minutes for children’s social work meetings, including Child Protection and Fostering & Adoption Panels. These meetings can be a forum to discuss some very sensitive issues and the nature of the discussions can be quite distressing. It is therefore imperative that staff are aware of this before considering applying for the post. The successful applicant should possess previous minute taking experience, good keyboard, oral and written communication skills. Inter-personal skills and the ability to work to deadlines and multi-task are also key within this role.
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You should have previous experience of working in an admin role, with the ability to demonstrate good keyboard skills and experience of using Microsoft Office especially Word and Excel.
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We would expect you to be able to communicate effectively with professionals and members of the public in a polite and courteous manner, dealing with sensitive and confidential matters appropriately.
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Candidates who are invited for interview will be given a minute taking test where you will be asked to minute a mock virtual Child Protection Planning meeting. You will then be asked to type up an accurate minute of the meeting where we would expect that you evidence the ability to take down the important and relevant points to populate the minute.
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For further information or an informal discussion please call either Rosslyn Proctor or Carol Biggins on 0141 562 8800.
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Requirements
The preferred candidate will be required to complete a Level 1 Disclosure check prior to a formal offer being made by West Dunbartonshire Council.
Responsibilities
The employment for which you are applying is excepted from the provisions of section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants are, therefore, not statutorily entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are "spent" under the provisions of the Act. In the event of employment any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action.
The Individual
The successful candidate will benefit from the following:
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WDC was voted one of the top ten flexible employers and prides itself in providing flexible working to support work life balance. In addition to this there are also additional benefits:
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• Access to the Local Government pension scheme (LGPS) with an employer’s contribution of at least 19.3% and all associated benefits
• A minimum of 25 days annual leave, increasing a day each year up to 35 days as well as 8 fixed public holidays each year
• Access to employee wellbeing supports including occupational health & counselling if ever you need help and support
For information about West Dunbartonshire Council please click on the following link and see why we are an employer of choice: About Us
More information on the benefits of working within West Dunbartonshire Council, can be found using the following link: Benefits of Working with us
Clerical/Admin Assistant (Children & Families) (2 posts) - WDN06030 employer: West Dunbartonshire Council
Contact Detail:
West Dunbartonshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Clerical/Admin Assistant (Children & Families) (2 posts) - WDN06030
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with minute-taking techniques before the interview. Practising how to summarise discussions and capture key points will help you feel more confident during the minute-taking test.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word and Excel. Being proficient in these applications will not only help you in the role but also impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential questions about handling sensitive information. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've dealt with confidential matters professionally and respectfully.
✨Tip Number 4
Reach out to Rosslyn Proctor or Carol Biggins for an informal chat about the role. This shows your enthusiasm and gives you a chance to ask any specific questions you might have.
We think you need these skills to ace Clerical/Admin Assistant (Children & Families) (2 posts) - WDN06030
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and requirements. Pay special attention to the need for minute-taking experience and communication skills, as these are crucial for the role.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in administration and minute-taking in your CV. Make sure to include specific examples of how you've successfully managed sensitive information and communicated effectively with various stakeholders.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses why you are a good fit for this position. Mention your experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel, and your ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
Prepare for the Minute-Taking Test: Since the interview includes a minute-taking test, practice by taking minutes from mock meetings. Focus on capturing key points accurately and concisely, as this will demonstrate your capability in this essential aspect of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Dunbartonshire Council
✨Prepare for the Minute Taking Test
Since you'll be given a minute taking test during the interview, practice taking minutes from mock meetings. Focus on capturing key points and summarising discussions accurately, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive topics.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences where you successfully communicated with professionals and the public, especially in sensitive situations. This will highlight your interpersonal skills.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Microsoft Office
As proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is essential, brush up on your skills before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these tools in past roles, particularly for tasks like document preparation and data management.
✨Understand the Role's Sensitivity
Given the nature of the work involving children and families, it's important to convey your understanding of the sensitivity required in this role. Reflect on why you are drawn to this position and how you can contribute positively to the team.