Project Support Officer (children)

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Stapleford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in the education sector is seeking a Project Support Officer (Children) to provide coordination and governance for children's services transformation projects. The role involves supporting project meetings, tracking data, and producing reports to improve outcomes for children and families. Essential skills include strong organisational abilities, experience in project governance, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. This position offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment in Stapleford, England.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting projects in children's services or public sector.
• Strong organisation and multitasking abilities.
• Experience with project governance activities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support project meetings and workshops.
• Track actions and maintain logs.
• Prepare reports and presentations for stakeholders.
• Assist with process mapping and project plans.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Data handling

Project governance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Project Support Officer (Children) – Project Coordination & Governance
Job Title
Project Support Officer (Children)
Service Area: Children’s Services / Transformation / Programme Management

Role Purpose
The Project Support Officer (Children) provides high quality coordination, governance, and delivery support across a portfolio of children’s services transformation projects. The role ensures projects are well organised, data driven, and effectively reported, enabling programme and operational leaders to maintain oversight, pace, and quality of delivery. Working within a dynamic, multi disciplinary environment, the postholder will support programme boards, workstreams, and project teams, contributing to improved outcomes for children, young people, and families.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Coordination and Governance
   • Organise, coordinate, and support project meetings, workshops, and steering groups across the programme.
   • Prepare agendas, take accurate and timely minutes, and maintain action and decision logs.
   • Track actions and ensure timely follow up with relevant leads.
   • Support the production of highlight reports, dashboards, and presentation materials for programme boards and senior stakeholders.
2. Data and Analysis Support
   • Collate, monitor, and track data requests across multiple workstreams.
   • Maintain and regularly update live trackers, including placements, costs, milestones, risks, and key performance measures.
   • Work collaboratively with Finance and Analysis & Insight teams to support benefit mapping, monitoring, and realisation.
   • Ensure data is accurate, timely, and presented clearly to support decision making.
3. Documentation and Communication
   • Draft, format, and quality assure project documentation, guidance materials, and written briefings.
   • Produce and update presentations, including PowerPoint packs, flowcharts, and process diagrams.
   • Support internal communications and stakeholder engagement across children’s services workstreams.
   • Produce concise summaries and updates from the Knowledge Hub and other relevant information sources.
4. Planning and Delivery Support
   • Assist with process mapping and workshop delivery alongside Business Analysts and transformation colleagues.
   • Contribute to the maintenance and tracking of project plans, delivery schedules, and dependencies.
   • Support the coordination and logistics of transformation activities across the wider programme.
   • Help identify risks, issues, and dependencies, escalating appropriately.
5. Team and Programme Support
   • Provide flexible, proactive support across multiple transformation projects as priorities evolve.
   • Work collaboratively with project managers, analysts, finance colleagues, and operational teams.
   • Maintain pace, consistency, and quality across programme activity.
   • Uphold professional standards, confidentiality, and a solution focused approach in a fast paced environment.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

Essential

• Experience supporting projects or programmes within children’s services, social care, or a public sector environment.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience of project governance activities, including minute taking, action tracking, and reporting.
• Confidence working with data, trackers, and performance information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and concise documentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Desirable

• Experience supporting transformation or service redesign programmes.
• Understanding of children’s social care, safeguarding, placements, SEND, or early help services.
• Experience working with Finance or Analysis teams to track costs and benefits.
• Exposure to process mapping or business analysis activities.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, flexible, and solution focused.
• Detail oriented with strong attention to accuracy and quality.
• Comfortable working in a fast moving, changing environment.
• Collaborative and professional, with the ability to build positive working relationships across teams.

Values and Behaviours

• Commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Respect for confidentiality, governance, and professional standards.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute positively to continuous improvement.