Training Coordinator & Payments Officer

12 months fixed term contract

Reading Borough Council is seeking a proactive and highly organised Training Co-ordinator & Payments Officer to join our Kinship & Permanence Service. This unique role combines the coordination of foster carer training and development with responsibility for managing payments and financial processes that support kinship carers and permanence arrangements.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting kinship carers who provide stable, loving homes for children and young people across Reading

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 Training Co-ordinator & Payments Officer, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day organisation of the Kinship & Permanence Service training programme and oversee a range of payments and financial processes that support carers and the wider service.

Your responsibilities will include:

Training and Development

• Planning and coordinating annual training programmes for kinship foster carers.

• Booking venues, trainers and resources for both virtual and face-to-face learning events.

• Promoting training opportunities through newsletters and communications.

• Managing bookings, attendance records, evaluations and training databases.

• Monitoring compliance with mandatory training requirements.

• Supporting the development of new and innovative learning opportunities for carers.

Payments and Financial Administration

• Processing kinship carer payments and associated financial transactions.

• Coordinating the Permanence Allowance Scheme and annual financial assessments.

• Raising purchase orders, processing invoices and monitoring expenditure.

• Resolving payment queries and invoice discrepancies promptly and accurately.

• Maintaining accurate financial records and payment information

• Liaising with carers, social workers and finance colleagues to ensure efficient service delivery

About you

We're looking for someone who can balance competing priorities, build positive relationships and work accurately in a busy environment.

You will have:

• Experience coordinating training programmes, events or learning activities.

• Experience working in a busy office or administrative environment.

• Strong organisational and planning skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Good numeracy skills and confidence working with spreadsheets and financial information.

• Experience managing your own workload and meeting deadlines.

• A commitment to delivering high-quality customer service.

• The ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.

Knowledge of payment processes, accounting procedures, learning management systems or training administration would be an advantage.

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 is 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’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

• A wide range of flexible working opportunities

• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

• 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

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Roselind.Moodley@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 25th October 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed