Subject Access Request Officer

• SAR_Officer_Job_Description__NEW__

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

We have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and detail-focused Subject Access Request (SAR) Officer to join our Information Governance team. In this vital role, you will manage SARs from initiation to completion across the Council (including Social Care), ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and delivering a high-quality service to our residents and clients.

You will liaise with colleagues, including senior officers, across departments to locate and assess relevant information, applying appropriate redaction with the aid of specialist technology to safeguard data before disclosure. Along with supplying the information requested to the applicant, you will need to write an accompanying letter explaining any redactions that have been made and answer any follow up queries they may have about the case.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to transparency and trust in public services. We’re looking for someone with a strong understanding of GDPR and the Data Protection Act, excellent communication and reading comprehension, strong analytical, organisational and multitasking abilities under pressure to meet statutory deadlines and the ability to work independently.

The successful candidate should have a working knowledge of Data Protection legislation and Subject Access, ideally within a public sector setting that includes Social Care. If you’re passionate about individuals data rights and public service, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits

We offer a fantastic range of employee benefits including a generous annual leave allowance of 28 days (rising to 33 days after 5 years of local government service), plus bank holidays, an excellent local government pension scheme, flexible working, employee assistance programme, sports and leisure discounts and much more!

Key Responsibilities:

• Logging new requests into the council’s SAR system and communicating with the applicant where necessary to verify their identity and clarify exactly what information they are looking for.
• Collating all relevant information (in a logical order) from various sources which include but are not limited to: Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, in person file locations, Systems, etc. This will include making independent judgements as to the relevance of information to the applicant’s request.
• Using specific technology (SmartBox.ai) to aid in redacting documents so that the applicant only receives the information they are legally entitled to. Ensuring that all third-party information and any data that pertains to an exemption is removed.
• Liaising with the relevant individual(s) within the Council to check around any redactions or possible exempt information to ensure this is not disclosed inappropriately.
• Issuing a response to the applicant within the statutory deadline, and closing the request on the system with appropriate categorisation(s). This will involve completing an accompanying letter that is sent to the applicant along with their material, and handling any follow up queries from them.
• Conducting yourself in a discreet and professional manner in accordance with the Councils confidentiality policy.

Candidate Requirements:

• Excellent administrative, organisational, and independent thinking skills.
• Ability to work at pace and manage a varied workload of multiple tasks often working to tight deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential information and communicate clearly and confidently with Staff at all levels showing diplomacy and tact; and communicating with a diverse applicant audience
• Excellent IT skills including Office software such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PDF editors, with a willingness to learn how to use new pieces of technology.
• Experience within a customer-focused service providing excellent customer service while working to tight deadlines.
• Good working knowledge of operating within the Data Protection Act and GDPR, the Subject Access procedures, together with an understanding of Local Government operations.

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!

Alternatively, for more information or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact Stuart Bignell, Senior Information Governance and Data Protection Officer: stuart.bignell@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing: 2nd November 2025, 11pm

Interviews: TBC

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.