Access to Information Assistant in Coventry

Hybrid working allocated to our office in Coventry. Location – Based in Coventry.

Role

Are you passionate about transparency and accountability? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where accuracy matters? We’re looking for a detail-oriented Access to Information Assistant to join our team, processing data protection subject access requests and freedom of information requests that help maintain public trust in local government and social care services.

Working alongside Our Information And Records Officer, you’ll play a vital role in upholding individuals’ rights to access information. Your responsibilities will include:

• Processing new requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (DPA)
• Reviewing documents to identify and redact personal data with precision and care
• Issuing timely responses that quote relevant legal exemptions
• Managing competing priorities in a challenging environment with tight deadlines

Position: Access to Information Assistant
Hours: 35
Salary: £30,253 to £36,117 per annum
Holiday: 23 days rising by 1 day with three years service and a further 2 days with five years service

Requirements

Education
No specific qualifications are required. Please see the person specification for skills and experience needed for the role.

Skills
Takes a positive and flexible approach to completing tasks to deadline without supervision
Can diligently follow processes whilst applying sound judgement
Learns new IT systems and software quickly
Has excellent written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly
Relishes working in a demanding environment where every request matters

Experience
Works with exceptional accuracy and meticulous attention to detail

Benefits

At the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman we value our staff and work hard to reward them. We are an ambitious, focused, inclusive and friendly organisation recognised for the important work we do. These include:

• Pension: Entitled to join the Local Government Pension Scheme which is a career average scheme
• Work/life balance: Encourage healthy work/life balance and offer flexible working arrangements such as agile working and flexi-time, together with a wide range of different working patterns. All subject to business needs
• Learning and development: Provide access to a learning and development programme to enable employees to succeed in their role. Where membership is relevant, we will also pay the annual membership fee for professional body membership
• Family‑friendly: Offer generous maternity, adoption, paternity and parental leave, and provide for paid and unpaid special leave
• Season ticket loan: Offer staff the ability to have a loan for their annual travel season ticket
• Wellbeing: Program includes an Occupational Health Service and access to an excellent, confidential Employee Assistance Scheme, a 24‑hour counselling service for advice about work and personal life challenges
• Can join the Civil Service Sports Club
• Reimburse the cost of eye tests, subsidise eye care for VDU usage and cover the cost of an annual flu jab
• Bike loan: Run a Cycle to Work Scheme allowing pay for cost of bike as a loan deducted from salary
• Reasonable adjustments: Recognise importance of making reasonable changes for staff where appropriate

About the LGSCO: For 50 years we’ve been the voice of the public. Our free and impartial service helps people put things right with their local council or adult social care provider. We use what we learn from complaints to improve local public services and independent adult social care provision. We act with impartiality and make fair decisions after listening to both sides of the story and weighing up all the evidence. If you want to make a difference and have the perspective we’re looking for, please get in touch.