At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-level support to the Leadership team, managing diaries and coordinating meetings.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Children's Trust, dedicated to supporting children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, flexible working, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Empowering culture with extensive learning opportunities and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Organised, detail-oriented, with experience in administration or as a Personal Assistant.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Job Reference: Ref/77/8722
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Temporary 12 month Maternity cover
Salary Range:
Working Hours: 37
Location: Northampton
Closing Date: 22/06/2026
Job Category: Social Care - Children
Organisation: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do. We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
- 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection
- Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
- Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
- A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
- Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
- Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About the role
Are you a highly organised, proactive Personal Assistant or Administrator who thrives in a fast‑paced environment? Do you enjoy being part of a supportive team while confidently managing your own workload? You’ll join a collaborative team of Personal Assistants supporting a Senior Leadership Team of Directors and Assistant Directors. Based at One Angel Square in central Northampton, you’ll benefit from flexible working, splitting your time between the office and home while occasionally travelling when required. This is a role where no two days are the same. You’ll be trusted to anticipate needs, stay one step ahead and ensure leaders can focus on what matters most. This is a 12‑month maternity cover opportunity.
What will you be doing?
- You’ll play a vital role at the heart of the organisation, providing high‑level executive support to two Assistant Directors and contributing to the smooth running of the wider Leadership Support Team.
- Managing complex diaries and inboxes, you will ensure time is used effectively and priorities are clear.
- You will act as a first point of contact, handling enquiries and correspondence professionally and with discretion.
- You will prepare for, attend and minute meetings, ensuring actions are tracked and deadlines are met.
- Coordinating meetings and events, you will produce agendas and distribute papers in a timely manner.
- You will build strong relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, both internally and externally.
- You will work collaboratively with fellow PAs to support Directors, Assistant Directors and the wider Board.
- You may be asked to take ownership of additional tasks such as research, projects, and maintaining systems and records.
- You will need to think ahead, anticipate challenges and step in with solutions—often before they’re even asked for.
About you
You may already be a Personal Assistant, or you may be an accomplished administrator looking to make a move into this type of role. Either way you will need to be very organised, show attention to detail, be able to multi‑task and react to changing priorities while staying cool under pressure. You have a good working knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint. We also use Microsoft Teams and Sharepoint for our virtual meetings, collaborative working and document storage so a basic knowledge of these would also be beneficial although training will be given. You are confident at communicating at all levels with a proactive approach, using your initiative to solve problems. If you are able to demonstrate these qualities and understand the need for confidentiality then you could be just who we are looking for.
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils. Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be. We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed. At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria. Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.
Personal Assistant to the Leadership team in Northampton employer: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
At Northamptonshire Children's Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values our workforce as our most valuable asset. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, a supportive work culture, and extensive learning and development opportunities. Located in the heart of Northampton, our inclusive environment empowers you to thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children, young people, and families.
Contact Details:
Northamptonshire Children's Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Assistant to the Leadership team in Northampton
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Northamptonshire Children's Trust, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Assistant to the Leadership team in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Northamptonshire Children's Trust. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Northamptonshire Children's Trust. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Children's Trust
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Personal Assistant to the Leadership team role at Northamptonshire Children's Trust, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Northamptonshire Children's Trust that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
