Job Reference: HCC623888
Salary Range: £33,178 - £36,369 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 4 May 2026
Interview Date: 18 May 2026
Senior Administrative Officer
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Administrative Officer to join our Secure Welfare Coordination Unit team at Hampshire County Council.
The Secure Welfare Coordination Unit plays an important role in facilitating secure welfare referrals on behalf of Local Authorities across England and Wales. We work closely with Secure Children’s Homes providing them with the information required to enable secure welfare placements to be provided. The team also supports strategic partners within the secure care estate as well as the Policy Team at DfE providing analysis and data that is used to support the strategic requirements of secure welfare nationally.
The Role:
As a Senior Administrative Officer you will play a key role in supporting the work of the Secure Welfare Coordination Unit to provide timely information and support for secure welfare referrals as well as occupancy and capacity information across the secure welfare estate.
You’ll be responsible for:
* Collection of data in respect of secure welfare referrals, including checking for accuracy and compiling these into regular reports
* Coaching and mentoring of Placement Officers, ensuring consistency of practice
* Quality assurance of feedback provided prior to distribution to relevant partners
* Attendance at working groups as required
* Monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) ensuring they are complied with and escalating any concerns arising from non-compliance
* Regularly reviewing operational guidance and internal processes, raising any suggested changes to the Secure Welfare Coordination Unit Senior Leadership Team
* Undertaking data quality checks and compilation of case studies to identify shared learning
* Providing Placement Officer support when required including cover until 5pm on occasional Fridays
* Flexibly responding to any other duties to support ad-hoc requests for information from partner organisations or to support the wider service
* Handling sensitive information with discretion and professionalism
* Frequently contacting via phone, email and MS Teams, Local Authorities, Secure Children’s Homes, government departments and strategic partners supporting secure welfare placements
The Secure Welfare Coordination Unit facilitates welfare placements on behalf of local authorities across England and Wales.
The team is a hybrid of office based and home working solely within core office hours of 8:30-5 pm. Our key stakeholders are social work/placement commissioning teams, secure children’s homes and strategic partners within the secure estate, which includes government departments. The nature of the role is fast paced, therefore experience in working within a similar environment would be desirable. As part of this role, you will work as part of a team, supporting others whilst also managing your own workload. Time management and prioritisation is crucial within this role.
What you’ll do:
* Provide support and guidance to Local Authorities that is child focussed and supports secure welfare referrals to be made available in a timely manner
* Support referring social workers to provide detailed information regarding their child’s referral, this can include troubleshooting where they have difficulty in accessing the secure welfare portal
* Daily contact with the Secure Children’s Homes to determine accurate oversight of capacity across the secure estate and reasons for non-availability of placements. Using this information for analysis and report-writing
* Regular use of Power BI software to process, review and analyse data
* Engage in regular Keep in Touch (KiT) calls with Secure Children’s Homes
* Oversee access to SharePoint sites for external bodies, ensuring they can access referrals appropriately whilst maintaining data protection protocols
* Review access to the Welfare Occupancy portal – validating, adding and deleting users and ensuring accuracy of information available
What we’re looking for:
We’re seeking someone who is:
* Highly organised and detail-oriented with ability to manage and prioritise workload effectively to meet operational demands
* Able to work independently, using initiative to identify suggested improvements and efficiencies
* Experienced in administration, ideally within social care, health or education
* Able to quality assure the work of the Placement Officers
* Confident using all Microsoft apps and digital systems, especially spreadsheets
* A strong communicator with excellent interpersonal and report writing skills
* Able to work independently and as part of a team as well as with strategic partners
* Reflective practitioner who strives for continuous improvement and embraces change
This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
EEO Statement:
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
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