DCR Partnership Assurance Officer

Dorset Council; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Generous annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Employee wellbeing support

Work across Local Government and NHS

Job summary

Dorset Council is seeking a DCR Partnership Assurance Officer to lead information governance and privacy across the Dorset Care Record, collaborating with Local Authorities, the NHS and other partners. You will provide expert guidance on DPIAs, DSAs and processing activities to support safe information sharing.

The role requires extensive knowledge of data protection law, strong stakeholder management and the ability to drive governance across multiple organisations.

Qualifications

• Significant experience applying Data Protection and Information Governance legislation within complex organisations.
• Experience working with Local Authority and NHS governance requirements.
• Experience of managing information governance incidents, investigations and data breaches.
• Experience handling Subject Access Requests within statutory timescales.
• Strong knowledge of the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, FOI and information sharing frameworks.
• Experience developing and reviewing governance documentation including DPIAs and DSAs.
• A degree-level qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline.

Responsibilities

• Act as the recognised information governance, privacy and data protection specialist across the Dorset Care Record Partnership.
• Lead partnership-wide compliance with Data Protection legislation and information governance standards.
• Develop, review and maintain DPIAs, DSAs, Records of Processing Activities and related governance docs.
• Provide expert advice on complex information governance matters and data sharing arrangements.
• Lead investigations into data incidents, complaints and breaches and coordinate improvements.
• Coordinate audits, assurance activities and compliance reviews across the partnership.
• Build strong relationships with governance leads and key stakeholders.
• Deliver training and guidance to promote a strong governance culture.
• Support privacy by design across partnership programmes and projects.
• Advise on lawful and proportionate information sharing for partnership work.

Skills

Data protection

Information governance

DPIA management

Data sharing agreements

Stakeholder management

Incident management

Education

Degree in Information Governance / Law / IT

Job description

About the role

Make a difference across health and social care in Dorset.

Are you an experienced Information Governance, Data Protection or Assurance professional looking for an opportunity to influence how organisations work together to deliver better outcomes for residents? This is an exciting opportunity to work at the centre of integrated health and social care across Dorset.

The Dorset Care Record (DCR) is a key partnership that enables health and social care professionals across Dorset to access the information they need to provide safe, effective and coordinated support for residents. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated DCR Partnership Assurance Officer to lead and coordinate information governance, privacy and assurance activities across our growing partnership.

This is a unique role operating across Local Authorities, NHS organisations and wider health and social care partners, providing expert advice and assurance that supports the lawful, secure and effective sharing of information. You'll play a critical role in maintaining public trust, supporting innovation and ensuring compliance within one of Dorset's most important digital transformation programmes.

Working closely with Information Governance Leads, Caldicott Guardians, Senior Information Risk Owners, clinicians, operational colleagues and senior leaders, you'll help shape and maintain the governance framework that underpins the Dorset Care Record.

What you'll be doing

As the DCR Partnership Assurance Officer, you will:

• Act as the recognised information governance, privacy and data protection specialist across the Dorset Care Record Partnership, supporting Local Authority, NHS and wider health and social care partners.
• Lead partnership-wide compliance with Data Protection legislation, Freedom of Information requirements and Information Governance standards.
• Develop, review and maintain Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs), Records of Processing Activities and other governance documentation to support consistent approaches across partner organisations.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on complex information governance matters, data sharing arrangements and disclosure decisions across the Partnership.
• Lead and coordinate investigations into data incidents, complaints and breaches, working collaboratively with partner organisations to ensure lessons learned are shared and improvements are implemented.
• Coordinate audits, assurance activities and compliance reviews across the Dorset Care Record Partnership, providing assurance that agreed controls and standards are being applied consistently.
• Build strong relationships with Information Governance Leads, Caldicott Guardians, Senior Information Risk Owners and key stakeholders across partner organisations.
• Deliver training, awareness and guidance to promote a strong and consistent culture of information governance and data protection throughout the Partnership.
• Support the ongoing development of the Dorset Care Record by embedding privacy by design and information governance best practice across partnership programmes, projects and operational services.
• Advise on lawful and proportionate information sharing arrangements that enable effective partnership working while protecting the privacy rights of Dorset residents.
• Respond to urgent and sensitive requests relating to safeguarding, emergency access and information sharing requirements, working closely with clinicians and governance leads across the Partnership.
• Represent the Dorset Care Record Partnership at local, regional and national forums, promoting best practice and supporting the continued development of integrated health and social care services.

About you

We're looking for someone who combines excellent technical knowledge with strong relationship-building and influencing skills. You will be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience applying Data Protection and Information Governance legislation within complex organisations.
• Experience working within, or closely alongside, both Local Authority and NHS organisations, with an understanding of their differing governance, operational and regulatory requirements.
• Experience of managing information governance incidents, investigations and data breaches.
• Experience of handling Subject Access Requests and complex information requests within statutory timescales.
• Strong knowledge of the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, Freedom of Information legislation and information sharing frameworks.
• Experience developing and reviewing governance documentation, including DPIAs and Data Sharing Agreements.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to influence and challenge constructively at all levels of an organisation.
• Experience undertaking audits, assurance reviews and compliance assessments.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and exercise sound professional judgement.

A degree-level qualification, or equivalent experience within a relevant discipline, is essential. Relevant Information Governance, Data Protection or Project Management qualifications would be advantageous.

Why join us?

You’ll play a key role in enabling organisations to work together safely and effectively while protecting the rights and privacy of Dorset residents. No two days will be the same, and you’ll have the opportunity to influence partnership-wide approaches to information governance, privacy and assurance.

You’ll join a collaborative and supportive team environment focused on delivering real benefits for local people through innovation, partnership working and continuous improvement.

Further Information

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Learning and development opportunities
• Employee wellbeing support
• The opportunity to work across both Local Government and NHS organisations

A rewarding role that directly supports better outcomes for Dorset residents

Further contact information

Please contact either Sara White on [e-mail] or Anthony Foot on [e-mail], telephone [phone].

Posts requiring B/C clearance

This post requires you to have access to sensitive information. It will be subject to a BasicCriminal Records Check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

Posts requiring significant travel

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deemsuitable) available for use as needed.

About Us

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it.

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.