Data Support Officer in Richmond

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government.

We are looking for a Data Support Officer to join our Placements Commissioning Service.

• Operational area: Kingston and Richmond
• Primary place of work: Guildhall 2, Kingston upon Thames KT1
• Appointment type: Permanent
• Business area: Children's Social Care
• Full time/Part time: Full-time
• Salary: from £33,495 (SCP14) to £36,048 (SCP19)
• Hours: 36
• Closing Date: 23/01/2026

The Data Support Officer provides core data and service support to the Placements Commissioning Service. The postholder will collect, maintain and analyse placement and provider data across agreed systems and templates, ensuring information is accurate, timely and useful for decision making. They will support statutory reporting, contribute to inspections, sufficiency planning and produce regular reports and dashboards. The postholder will also keep well organised records for contracts, compliance checks, quality assurance activity and placement documentation. The postholder will work closely with internal colleagues and external, so clear communication, professional relationships and a strong eye for detail are essential. The work is fast paced, data focused and varied, with opportunities to support wider placements commissioning and quality assurance work as required. They may also act as a Champion for specific improvement projects across the service and will undertake any other relevant duties needed to support effective placements and positive outcomes for children and young people.

The successful candidate will be:

• Educated to a degree level with a relevant professional qualification (ideally in commissioning)
• A professional understanding of all the legal aspects of procurement and commissioning activity
• Awareness of Government and European initiatives and developments in relation to procurement and commissioning legislation
• An understanding of issues relating to children’s, education, health and social care services
• Awareness of relevant Care Quality Commission policies and policies of other public bodies relating to Children’s Services and Adults Services
• Experience of effective performance management (people and organisational); identifying development needs; addressing skills and knowledge gaps
• Knowledge of relevant theory that informs practice delivery
• Demonstrable negotiating and project management skills
• Experience of building strong partnerships, maintaining relationships and co-producing solutions to challenges across a diverse set of stakeholders, including children, young people and their families
• Proven ability to effectively use data, intelligence and evidence to create meaningful insight and to inform own decision making
• Experience of keeping and maintaining records (in accordance with local policy) and producing accurate reports, presentations, and written updates to a range of stakeholders
• Experience of addressing specific equality or diversity issues within your practice with colleagues/service users and taking action to solve them

We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:

• 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month
• Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
• Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
• Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• A range of staff benefits and discounts
• An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway

Important Information:

• Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month.
• Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements.
• Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams.
• Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received.