At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide essential admin and finance support to Children's Services, ensuring smooth operations.
- Company: Join the dedicated team at Milton Keynes City Council, making a real difference for children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, excellent pension, and discounts on travel and entertainment.
- Other info: Part-time, fixed-term role with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team that supports carers and children in need.
- 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 in Milton Keynes 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 access to an award-winning employee benefits programme, employees can enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance while contributing to the welfare of families and carers in the community. The council prioritises professional growth, providing opportunities for training and development, ensuring that every team member can thrive in their role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Services Support Officer in Milton Keynes
✨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 and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨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 match the role of a Support Services Officer, especially your experience in administration and finance support.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! First impressions matter, so make sure you look professional and feel confident. A smart outfit can boost your confidence and show that you take the opportunity seriously.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Childrens Services Support Officer in Milton Keynes
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. Whether it's through your writing style or examples of past experiences, let us see your confident communication shine!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've got experience in administrative roles or working with children and families, make sure to bring that to the forefront. We love seeing how your background can support our mission in Children's Services.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Milton Keynes City Council.
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 inside out. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, especially around financial assessments and administrative support. 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, particularly in managing competing priorities and working under pressure. Think about times when you've successfully supported a team or handled sensitive information, 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 demonstrate how you can communicate clearly and respectfully, especially when discussing sensitive topics. A friendly and professional demeanour can go a long way!
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, or how success is measured in the role. It shows that you're engaged and thinking about how you can contribute to their mission.