At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide essential admin support to Children's Services and ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Join Milton Keynes City Council, dedicated to making a difference for children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy great holiday benefits, part-time hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Part-time, fixed-term role with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while developing your skills in a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.
Weâre recruiting a Support Services Officer to join our dedicated Childrenâs 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 youâll be expected to work from the designated workplace. This post is partâtime and fixedâterm.
- Hours - 26 per week
- Contract length - 12 months
Interviews for this role will be held on 28th May 2026.
At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. Weâre 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.
Main Responsibility
- Provide direct administrative and business support across Childrenâs 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 followâup actions.
- Act as a professional first point of contact for carers, service users and partner organisations.
- Support colleagues through induction, training and dayâtoâday guidance to maintain high standards of service delivery.
The 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, weâll carry out a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public holidays.
Childrens Services Support Officer employer: Milton Keynes
Contact Detail:
Milton Keynes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Childrens Services Support Officer
â¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Milton Keynes City Council and their Childrenâs Services team. Understanding their values and mission will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
â¨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to children's services. This can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to administrative roles and financial processes. Think about examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills in managing priorities and working collaboratively.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows youâre serious about joining our dedicated team at Milton Keynes City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Childrens Services Support Officer
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Childrens Services Support Officer. We want to see how you can contribute to our dedicated team at Milton Keynes City Council!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since clear communication is key in this role, donât forget to demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive information and interact confidently with carers and service users. We love seeing candidates who can express themselves well!
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you've got experience in administrative roles or financial processes, make sure to bring that to the forefront. Weâre looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what youâve done before!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows youâre keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Milton Keynes
â¨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Children's Services Support Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like processing payments and coordinating panels. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
â¨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your administrative skills and experience, especially if you have an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration or similar. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully managed competing priorities or supported colleagues, as this aligns perfectly with what theyâre looking for.
â¨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves handling sensitive information, practice clear and confident communication. Prepare to answer questions about how you would handle confidential matters and ensure you convey your ability to communicate effectively with carers and service users.
â¨Emphasise Teamwork
This position requires collaboration, so be prepared to discuss how you work well with others. Share examples of how you've supported colleagues in the past and contributed to a positive team environment. This will reflect the council's values of being dedicated, respectful, and collaborative.