Business Support Officer - Fostering

Portsmouth; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Portsmouth City Council is seeking a Business Support Officer to support the Fostering Team with high-quality administrative duties. The role involves minute-taking, records management, handling enquiries, and assisting with events and training.

Initial office-based work with potential move to hybrid after a six-month probation. Candidates should have strong admin experience, excellent communication, and a commitment to confidentiality and safeguarding policies.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in providing high-quality administrative support.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication.
• Experience with confidential information handling.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and information systems.

Responsibilities

• Take detailed minutes at workshops, meetings and panels.
• Maintain service and caseload records and prepare performance data.
• Handle telephone, email and in-person enquiries and arrange meetings.
• Process orders and invoices; keep files and documentation up to date.
• Provide admin support for training courses, events and conferences.
• Support preparation for Ofsted inspections and panel documentation.

Skills

Organised

Customer-focused

Administrative experience

Communication skills

Empathy

Confidentiality awareness

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Outlook

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Floor 4, Core 2, Civic Offices

Salary: Band 5, £27,346 to £29,170 per annum

Working Hours:

37

Location:

Floor 4, Core 2, Civic Offices

Closing Date:

22/11/2026

Job Category:

Administration

Region / Division:

UK Region

Job Introduction

We are looking for a committed Business Support Officer to join our Fostering Team, providing high‑quality administrative support that keeps the service running smoothly and professionally.

This is a great opportunity if you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy variety, and want to play a meaningful role in supporting foster carers, social workers and the wider service.

The Role

As a Business Support Officer, you will provide high-quality administrative support to the Fostering Team and play an important part in ensuring the smooth and effective running of the service. You will initially be office-based while completing your training, with the opportunity to move to hybrid working following successful completion of your six-month probation period.

This is a varied and busy role where you will communicate with a wide range of people, maintain accurate and professional records and handle sensitive and confidential information. You will need to be comfortable managing competing priorities and delivering excellent customer service, even when working under pressure.

Your responsibilities will include taking detailed minutes at workshops, partnership meetings and Fostering Panel meetings; maintaining service and caseload systems; collating performance information; responding to telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries; arranging appointments and meetings; processing orders and invoices; maintaining files and documentation; and providing administrative support for training courses, events and conferences.

You will also support the Service Manager with preparation for Ofsted inspections and provide cover for the Fostering Panel Administrator, including collating, checking and distributing Panel documentation and supporting Panel members in line with statutory requirements

The ideal candidate

We are looking for an organised, confident and customer-focused administrator who can provide a professional and reliable service in a busy environment.

You will have strong administrative experience and excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. You will be able to take detailed and complex minutes, organise and prioritise your workload effectively and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Experience within Children and Families Services would be desirable.

You will be confident using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, as well as databases and information systems. You should also be comfortable sourcing and collating information, maintaining statistical records and managing diaries and meetings.

Just as importantly, you will be a good listener with empathy and sensitivity when dealing with people who may be experiencing difficult or upset situations. You will understand the importance of confidentiality, Data Protection, Information Governance and safeguarding, and be able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team

Additional Information

Hybrid working arrangements: Working from Civic Offices during probation period, once competent, may progress to hybrid. working.

Interview date:Tuesday 8th December 2026

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people‑focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours .

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.