At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-level admin support in Children's Services, managing complex processes and records.
- Company: Milton Keynes City Council, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, excellent pension, health cash plan, and discounts on travel and entertainment.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; great training and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a collaborative team making a real impact on children's lives and community services.
- Qualifications: NVQ level three or significant admin experience; strong organisational and teamwork skills.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Closing Date: 31/08/2026
Job Category: Children's Services
Service Area: Children's Services - Children's and Families Management
Package Description
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can lease an electric or low-emission vehicle at a reduced cost through salary sacrifice, subject to National Minimum Wage and other eligibility requirements.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Roles are either ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs. Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week. The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.
Job Introduction
Our Business Support team in Children’s Services provides high-quality administrative and operational support that underpins the delivery of education services across Milton Keynes. We manage complex processes, maintain accurate records, support statutory requirements, and act as a key point of contact for schools, families, and professionals. Our work ensures that services run efficiently, enabling frontline colleagues to focus on achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
In this role, you’ll provide high-level administrative support across a range of specialist areas, helping the service meet its key performance indicators and statutory duties. You’ll work across multiple systems and processes, supporting service delivery and contributing to improvements that benefit children, families, and professionals. You’ll also act as a professional first point of contact, supporting colleagues, partners, and service users with accurate and timely information.
This is a role for someone with strong administrative experience who can manage complex tasks, prioritise effectively, and work collaboratively across teams.
Site-Based role
This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace. Interviews for this role will be held on 7th September 2026.
At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.
- Provide high-level administrative support across Children’s Services, managing complex processes and maintaining accurate records to support service delivery.
- Act as a professional first point of contact for service users, schools, families, and partner organisations.
- Support service improvements by working closely with colleagues, sharing best practice, and contributing to team development.
- Maintain specialist information and support projects and initiatives that improve services for children and young people.
- Process financial information including invoicing and payments, ensuring compliance with council procedures and accurate record keeping.
- Work flexibly across the Business Support team, providing cover, supporting colleagues, and contributing to a one council approach.
Ideal Candidate
- Educated to NVQ level three or equivalent, or able to demonstrate significant administrative experience within a relevant field.
- Confident using Microsoft Office and able to quickly learn and use a range of systems and databases.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work and manage competing demands.
- Experience supporting or mentoring colleagues and contributing to a positive team environment.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with care and professionalism.
- A collaborative approach, demonstrating our values of being dedicated, respectful, and a great team player.
As part of the pre-employment checks, should you be offered the role, we’ll carry out a Basis Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-time services and aim to make our city a better place to live. We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference. We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
Childrens Services Specialist employer: Milton-Keynes-Council
Milton Keynes City Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the community. With a supportive work culture, generous holiday benefits, and a commitment to employee growth through training and development opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive while delivering essential public health services. Our focus on collaboration and respect ensures that every team member feels valued and can contribute meaningfully to improving the lives of residents in Milton Keynes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Services Specialist
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Milton-Keynes-Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Milton-Keynes-Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Milton-Keynes-Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Milton-Keynes-Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Childrens Services Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Milton-Keynes-Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milton-Keynes-Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Milton-Keynes-Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.