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Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity in our administrative team as a part time (2 days per week) Senior Business Support Officer who will be supporting Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Team within Children's Service.

The Senior Business Support Officer plays a vital role in providing first class, confidential and proactive support to Senior Managers and the wider teams, and in ensuring that the service operates efficiently and effectively, improving the experience and outcomes for our service users and residents.

We are looking for a proactive, enthusiastic, experienced minute taker and highly organised individual, who is able to establish and maintain strong professional relationships with internal colleagues at all levels as well as external partners.

The ideal candidate will be a quick thinker, willing team member, and able to adapt to changing priorities on a daily basis. They will be expected to work with the utmost discretion and be a confident communicator. This is a fast-paced, demanding and varied role but also extremely rewarding.

Main duties of the job

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young person’s / vulnerable adults in the care of the service, including undertaking regular Child Protection training at a level commensurate with role.
• Acknowledge and respond to queries received by a range of contact points, logging information accurately and alerting staff and managers accordingly.
• Manage meetings (coordinating, liaising with external providers as necessary, circulating papers).
• Accurate minute-taking for complex and high level meetings which includes Child Protection Safeguarding Conferences, Fostering Panels as well as multi-agency meetings.
• Support the team and wider Business Support Service to ensure continuity of service delivery, working flexibly to meet competing needs and demands.
• Maintain financial records, checking and processing invoices, payments, travel and ad hoc expenses.
• Collaborate with other team members on the development and improvement of administrative processes and procedures to improve service delivery.
• Maintain database systems, website pages/online forms relative to the service area.
• Assist in the induction process and training of new staff in relation to procedure and operated databases are required by the Business Support Management Team.

The Team

This role sits within a newly centralised Business Support Service providing business services to every part of the council and designed to ensure accountability and responsiveness, as well as the broad-based participation of staff giving equity, inclusiveness and develop a culture that centres on the councils’ ‘Be Islington values’. Providing opportunity for business support staff to learn and develop new skills is a key service objective and we aim to achieve this through bespoke training, accessing best practice guidance, learning from peers and access to corporate support.

For further information please contact Jacqueline Russell | Deputy Business Support Manager | Email: Jacqueline.Russell@Islington.gov.uk

Note to Recruitment Agencies:
We kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are managing the recruitment process internally and will reach out directly should we require external support. Thank you for your understanding.

Benefits

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised. Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre‑Employment Checks
Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks. These may include:

• Proof of address
• Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
• Right to work in the UK
• Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)

Safeguarding We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Disability Confident Scheme Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.