Adoption Records Officer - Record Management Unit

7.4 Hours per week - Part Time - Permanent

We are looking for a detail-oriented and highly organised Adoption Records Officer to join our Records Management Team based at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX. This is a unique opportunity to play a vital role in safeguarding and managing a historically significant collection of adoption and children’s records that span nearly a century.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About The Role:
As Adoption Records Officer, you will ensure the long-term preservation, security and accessibility of over 60,000 records, some dating back to the Adoption Act 1927. You will work closely with social workers, statutory agencies and other professionals, responding to requests for access to records while ensuring compliance with legislation, confidentiality requirements and records management best practice.

What you'll be doing:

• Managing and preserving a unique collection of adoption and children's social care records.
• Processing new deposits of records and maintaining accurate database information.
• Coordinating access requests from social workers and statutory organisations.
• Advising colleagues on records management procedures and relevant legislation.
• Maintaining records retention schedules and operational procedures.
• Producing management information, statistics and responding to Freedom of Information requests.
• Supporting the ongoing preservation and digitisation of the collection.

About You:
We're looking for someone who is methodical, organised and committed to handling sensitive information with the highest levels of professionalism.

You'll have:

• Experience of archive research, records management and working with historical collections.
• Experience creating and maintaining catalogues, indexes or metadata.
• Knowledge of records management principles and legislation, including GDPR, Freedom of Information and information governance.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Confidence using databases and advanced Microsoft Office applications such as PowerApps.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• An understanding of the importance of confidentiality and information security.

You should also be comfortable working independently, handling physical records, and occasionally lifting archive boxes and using ladders.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave (pro rata for part time staff)
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Chris Elliott, Records Manageron chris.elliott@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 2554

Closing Date: Sunday 25th October 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at Records Management Unit at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX