Data Governance Paralegal (Information Governance) in Hailsham

Who are we looking for? Do you thrive on legal detail and believe in transparency, accountability and lawful information handling? A sharp, proactive Paralegal will join our Information Governance team and make a real impact on information access rights management, data protection compliance and information governance practices.

What will the role involve?

You will support the Council’s Information Governance and Legal Services teams in keeping information lawful, secure and transparent. You’ll manage FOI, EIR and UK GDPR requests (including DSARs), track statutory deadlines, carry out searches and redactions, draft clear responses and keep case management systems up to date. You will also support data governance policies, log and help manage data incidents, contribute to training and awareness, and provide administrative support to governance panels and meetings. Working with experienced colleagues, you will research issues, offer practical guidance to staff at all levels, promote best practice in confidentiality and data handling and help drive compliance and continuous improvement across the Council.

What skills, knowledge and abilities do you require for the role?

You’ll bring curiosity and a growing interest in information governance — whether that’s data protection, FOI/EIR, privacy, confidentiality, records management or regulatory compliance. You might have picked this up through work, study or experience in the public sector (or a similar regulated environment), and you’re keen to build on it. You’re organised, quick to learn and comfortable juggling priorities and deadlines. You enjoy working both independently and as part of a team, have strong IT skills (including tools like SharePoint) and communicate clearly and professionally in writing and in person. You understand the importance of discretion and feel confident handling sensitive information with care. You’re proactive, adaptable and motivated to develop your skills and knowledge over time. You’ll have a good general standard of education (including English and Maths), and either relevant experience or a degree-level qualification. A legal qualification or law degree would be an advantage, but what matters most is your enthusiasm for the role and commitment to doing things properly.

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary & pension scheme
• Incremental progression subject to satisfactory performance
• A friendly, supportive team
• Opportunities for continuing professional development
• Hybrid working

About Wealden

Wealden District Council is a future‑focused organisation committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all employees and volunteers to share this responsibility. We are proud to maintain a diverse workforce and inclusive environment where individuality is valued, and all applications are assessed on merit. As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure fair and accessible recruitment, offer workplace adjustments, and guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. We also hold the Gold Standards Award for employee wellbeing, reflecting our dedication to supporting our people to thrive. At Wealden District Council, inclusion, wellbeing and equal opportunity are central to who we are and how we work.

Ethical Use of AI in Applications

We welcome innovation and do not automatically exclude candidates who use tools during the application process. However, we assess each application to ensure the candidate genuinely understands the role and its requirements. AI may be used ethically and responsibly, provided it supports, rather than compromises our core values of integrity, transparency, and fairness. During assessments and interviews, candidates must present their own skills and experience without assistance from others, external resources, or AI, unless explicitly instructed otherwise.