At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide essential IT support to help over 800 colleagues make a difference in children's lives.
- Company: Join Silver Birch Care Holdings, a family-owned leader in children's care and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 28 days holiday, and fully funded qualifications for career growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team culture with opportunities for international projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with technology that supports vulnerable children.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT support and a passion for delivering outstanding service in a caring environment.
IT support with real purpose. Work that matters. Most IT support roles mean fixing laptops and closing tickets. This one means keeping the technology running for over 800 colleagues who support some of the most vulnerable children in the country. As an IT Support Specialist at Silver Birch Care Holdings, you will be the frontline of everything technical — from day-to-day helpdesk to owning our ClearCare care management system across a growing estate of over 60 children’s homes. We are recruiting two post-holders against this single specification. Whether you come from a service-desk background or specialist systems support, if you have the technical ability, the discipline, and the commitment to deliver outstanding service in a care environment — we want to hear from you.
What You’ll Own
- Service Desk & First-Line Support
- First point of contact for all IT support — phone, email, chat and ticketing system
- Log, categorise, prioritise and manage incidents to agreed SLAs
- Triage and resolve remotely wherever possible; arrange on-site attendance where needed
- Escalate unresolved issues and track them through to resolution
- Hardware, Software & Network Support
- Install, configure and maintain desktops, laptops, servers, mobile devices and peripherals
- Deploy and configure Windows 10/11, Microsoft 365 and business applications across the estate
- Set up and maintain network infrastructure — routers, switches, Meraki firewalls, Starlink and CCTV
- Diagnose and resolve hardware, software and connectivity issues with lasting root-cause fixes
- ClearCare System Administration
- Lead administrator for ClearCare children’s social care management system across all modules and homes
- Manage user access, account creation and deactivation, templates and reporting tools
- Train new and existing staff; produce home-specific user guides and run refresher sessions
- Document configurations, user procedures and training completion
- Asset Management, Joiners & Leavers
- Maintain the asset register cradle-to-grave — every laptop, mobile, CCTV and Starlink unit
- Provision kit, licences and accounts within 24 hours of HR notification for all joiners
- Suspend accounts same-day and recover kit within 7 days for all leavers
- Subscription, Licence & Vendor Management
- Manage the full subscription portfolio — Sona, Tribepad, Abacus, Claude, ClearCare, M365 and others
- Liaise with vendors (Meraki, Starlink, BT, carriers) on performance, pricing and contracts
- Maintain a renewal calendar 90 days forward; retire unused licences promptly
- Procurement, Finance & Documentation
- Raise purchase orders and issue goods-received notes within 48 hours
- Reconcile invoices monthly against the asset register and subscription log
- Maintain accurate knowledge-base articles, user guides and incident records
What We’re Looking For
- Previous experience in an IT support, service desk or helpdesk environment, including 2nd-line or specialist work
- Good working knowledge of Windows 10/11 and Microsoft 365, including M365 administration
- Sound understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP) and hardware troubleshooting
- Experience using IT ticketing and service-management tools and managing work to SLAs
- Experience administering or supporting line-of-business systems — ClearCare or similar care/social-care systems is a strong advantage
- Asset-management and vendor-management discipline, comfortable reconciling across multiple suppliers
- Strong problem-solving skills and excellent verbal and written communication
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, multi-site environment
- Full, clean UK driving licence and a calm, professional presence in sensitive care environments
Desirable:
- Experience with remote-support tools and MDM platforms
- Familiarity with ITIL processes; ITIL Foundation certification
- Experience with Meraki networking, WiFi, CCTV and Starlink infrastructure
Working in a Care Environment
This role operates in and around children’s residential homes. You will be required to:
- Hold an Enhanced DBS check
- Maintain high standards of confidentiality at all times
- Demonstrate an awareness of safeguarding responsibilities
- Present as calm and professional around vulnerable young people and home staff
These are not optional extras — they are core to how we work.
What We Offer
- Build Your Career
- Fully funded qualifications and clear pathways into Team Leader, Deputy and Registered Manager roles
- Ongoing learning and development through structured programmes and hands-on experience
- Opportunities to step up, take on responsibility, and grow within the organisation
- Feel Supported
- 24/7 access to confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme
- OnDemand GP access
- A strong team culture where people support each other day-to-day
- Work That Works for You
- 28 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays), increasing with service
- Celebrate your birthday!
- Wellbeing days to support staff when needed
- Team-based working patterns
- Be Part of Something Bigger
- Opportunities to get involved in our international projects, including trips to Tanzania supporting local communities
- A values-led organisation focused on making a genuine difference — not just commercially, but socially
- The Essentials
- Pension with NEST
- Access to discounts via Sage Employee Benefits and Blue Light Card
- Employee referral bonus scheme
- Long service recognition awards
- On-site parking (where available)
- Relaxed dress code
About Silver Birch Care (Holdings) Limited
Silver Birch Care Holdings is a leading provider of high-quality education, supported accommodation, residential care, and specialist support for children and young people aged 5 to 25 across the UK. We are a family owned provider, driven by our commitment to care. This makes us different from other organisations in the sector. Because we are not owned by venture capital investors or corporate shareholders, we reinvest any surplus funds into our services and support charities around the world. Through our family of services — including Silver Birch Care, Silver Birch Care (Residential Services), The Beeches, Benecare, and Clover Childcare Services, alongside our two independent specialist schools — we operate more than 60 children's homes and supported living services across London, Peterborough, Northampton, Kent, and Norfolk. We are proud that Clover Childcare Services is the UK’s first Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) Residential Certified Organisation, reflecting our strong commitment to trauma-informed and attachment-focused care. Working in partnership with over 60 local authorities, we support children and young people to overcome challenges, celebrate their achievements, and build the skills they need to live safe, happy, and fulfilling lives. Our experienced and dedicated teams nurture every individual, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued.
Safeguarding
Silver Birch Care Holdings is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of children and young people. Appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment employment checks in line with Ofsted regulations. This will include satisfactory references, enhanced DBS from the Disclosures and Barring Service and, where applicable, any international equivalent being obtained.
IT Systems Specialist in London employer: Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited
At Silver Birch Care Holdings, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering IT Systems Specialists the chance to make a real impact in a supportive and values-driven environment. With a strong focus on employee growth through fully funded qualifications and a culture that prioritises teamwork and wellbeing, our staff enjoy generous benefits including 28 days of holiday, wellbeing days, and opportunities to engage in meaningful international projects. Join us in our mission to support vulnerable children while advancing your career in a fulfilling and dynamic setting.
Contact Details:
Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Systems Specialist in London
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited!
✨Direct Apply to Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Systems Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Silver Birch Care Holdings Limited
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
