At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide essential admin and finance support to Children's Services, ensuring smooth operations.
- Company: Milton Keynes City Council, dedicated to making a difference for children and families.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, excellent pension, family-friendly policies, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Part-time, fixed-term role with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact in children's lives.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Closing Date: 14/06/2026
Job Category: Children's Social Care
Service Area: Children's Services - Children's Social Work
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. There is also 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 and a childcare subsidy.
- 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 access low-cost leasing of electric and low-emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Job Introduction
We’re recruiting a Support Services Officer to join our dedicated Children’s Services team at Milton Keynes City Council. We are dedicated, respectful and collaborative, and we work together to make a real difference for children, families and carers across the city.
Our team is dedicated to providing essential administrative and finance support to the Corporate Parenting teams. We play a vital role in making sure carers are supported properly and paid accurately and on time. We carry out thorough financial assessments to determine the allowances carers are entitled to. We process payments for foster carers, kinship carers and Special Guardianship Order carers. We also manage all payments and invoicing for external placement agreements, helping the council remain financially responsible.
Alongside this, we help coordinate the fostering panel, support services panel and health forum. We make sure these meetings run smoothly, efficiently and to the required standards. Our work supports social work teams, children and carers, particularly in areas requiring specialist administrative and financial knowledge. When this work is done well, it prevents delays, financial risk and reputational harm.
Site-Based role
This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace. This post is part-time and fixed-term. Interviews for this role will be held on 25th June 2026.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide direct administrative and business support across Children’s Services, ensuring statutory timescales are met.
- Accurately input and maintain information across council systems, spreadsheets and databases.
- Process financial assessments, purchase orders, invoices and payments in line with council finance procedures.
- Coordinate panels and meetings, including diary management, agendas, minutes and follow-up actions.
- Act as a professional first point of contact for carers, service users and partner organisations.
- Support colleagues through induction, training and day-to-day guidance to maintain high standards of service delivery.
Ideal Candidate
- NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration or equivalent experience in a busy administrative role.
- Communicates clearly and confidently, including when handling sensitive or confidential information.
- Confident using Microsoft Office and able to learn new systems quickly.
- Able to manage competing priorities and work calmly under pressure.
- Works well with others and supports colleagues to find practical solutions.
- Reflects our values by being dedicated, respectful and collaborative in everything they do.
As part of the pre-employment checks, should you be offered the role, we’ll carry out a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Childrens Services Support Officer employer: MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
Milton Keynes City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for those passionate about making a difference in children's lives. With generous holiday benefits, a robust pension scheme, and a range of family-friendly policies, employees can enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance while contributing to vital services in the community. The council also provides numerous opportunities for professional growth and access to exclusive discounts, making it an attractive place for dedicated individuals seeking meaningful employment in Children's Services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Services Support Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Children's Services team at Milton Keynes City Council. Understanding their values and recent projects can help you connect during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your skills align with the role of a Support Services Officer and be ready to share examples from your past experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even though it’s a supportive role, looking professional can make a great first impression. Choose an outfit that reflects your respect for the position and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Childrens Services Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Children's Services Support Officer. We want to see how you can contribute to our dedicated team!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since clear communication is key in this role, use your application to demonstrate your ability to convey information effectively. We love seeing examples of how you've handled sensitive situations or worked collaboratively.
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've got experience in administrative roles or working with children and families, make it shine! We’re looking for candidates who can hit the ground running, so don’t hold back on sharing your relevant background.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Children's Services Support Officer. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, like processing payments and coordinating panels. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your administrative skills, especially in finance and support roles. Think about times when you managed competing priorities or worked under pressure, as these are key aspects of the job.
✨Be Personable
As this role involves being a first point of contact for carers and service users, practice your communication skills. Be ready to discuss how you would handle sensitive information and maintain professionalism while being approachable.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions prepared about the team dynamics or the challenges faced by the Children's Services department. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.