Information Management and Data Services Officer

Do you have what it takes to develop innovative data products to help drive improvements? This is an exciting time to join Durham’s Children and Young People’s Data Team as we look to harness technologies to automate processes where possible and deliver real‑time dashboards to senior managers and partners. We are looking to appoint two enthusiastic, hardworking and motivated Information Management & Data Services Officers. One post is offered on a temporary basis until March 2029, and the second post is offered on a temporary basis for an initial period of 12 months.

What is involved? These are exciting and pivotal posts within the service, being part of a team leading the future development of innovative and sustainable data improvement services across Children’s Services in Durham. You will identify and make improvements to ways of extracting, matching and presenting data using tools such as Microsoft SSMS and Power BI, to deliver key datasets in ways that provide insight and intelligence to support management decisions and performance frameworks, and also deliver information to schools. You will support the work of the Virtual School Head Teacher (VSH) and team, in both their existing and new duties, through provision of high‑quality data and analysis. The VSH is responsible for promoting the educational attainment of children and young people known to social care, including children looked after, care leavers and children with a social worker. The VSH works with other professionals to ensure these vulnerable young people are provided with the best opportunities to engage, to progress and to achieve their full potential.

The role offers the opportunity to shape the work of the team. You will make a major contribution to the council’s ability to use data to influence strategies and projects, identify priorities and evaluate outcomes and progress for these young people. You will support multiple Children and Young People’s Services Operational teams, creating meaningful insight to support delivery and support to families and young people. Collating and cleansing data for DfE returns are a significant part of the role as well as working with colleagues across the wider Data and Insights team and corporate affairs.

What will I need? You will be skilled in the use of tools such as SQL, Microsoft SSMS, Excel, Power BI, etc. to extract, transform and load datasets and understand how data can be stored and matched between systems to allow this to be used in service reporting. The successful applicant will hold NVQ Level 4 in Performance/Data related subject or relevant experience. Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.

Our offer to you: We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

Please contact Georgina Titchener, Team Leader, 03000 265751 or Peppi Kent, Senior Information Management and Data Services Officer, 03000 264170, to arrange an informal discussion. For the second post please contact Julie Bailey, Team Leader 03000 268860, to arrange an informal discussion.