Business Operations Officer (Grade 12) – Children's Services

Business Operations Officer (Grade 12) – Financial Administration

Temporary Contract

Job Details

Client: Somerset Council
Service Area: Children's Social Care / Kinship, Fostering & Permanence
Grade: 12
Hours: 37 hours per week
Start Date: 16 November 2026
End Date: 28 March 2027
Duration: 20 weeks
Vacancies: 1

Working Pattern

Hybrid – normally 1 day in the office and 4 days working remotely.

Additional office attendance will be required during the first few weeks for face-to-face induction and training.

Location

1 Orchard Court, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9JB.

The Council also permits the role to be based at its East Somerset offices in Shepton Mallet or Yeovil.

Pay

PAYE Rate: £15.31 per hour

Job Overview

Somerset Council is recruiting an experienced Business Operations Officer to provide financial administration support within Children's Social Care.

The successful candidate will support the administration of Special Guardianship, Fostering and Adoption allowance payments.

The position involves completing means-tested financial assessments, maintaining accurate financial information, reviewing payment arrangements and communicating with carers and operational colleagues.

Important – Please Read Carefully

Previous experience in financial administration is essential.

Candidates must have strong Microsoft 365 skills and be confident using Excel.

Experience in means-tested financial assessments, local government administration or Children's Social Care is desirable but not essential.

This is an administrative and financial assessment role, not a social worker position.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete means-tested financial assessments for prospective and existing carers.
• Provide financial information relating to Special Guardianship, Fostering and Adoption allowances.
• Review allowance arrangements at regular intervals.
• Maintain accurate financial spreadsheets.
• Update client records using the LCS database.
• Contact carers to request financial information and supporting documents.
• Communicate updated allowance figures to carers.
• Set up and amend payments using LIFT within LCS.
• Liaise with Children's Social Care operational staff regarding changes to payments.
• Respond to enquiries by email and telephone.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records.
• Follow GDPR and Council policies and procedures.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven financial administration experience
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills
• Confident using Microsoft 365
• Financial record keeping and data accuracy
• Good written and verbal communication
• Ability to review financial information
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to manage confidential information
• Good attention to detail
• Ability to work independently

Desirable Experience

• Means-tested financial assessments
• Local authority financial administration
• Children's Social Care administration
• Special Guardianship, Fostering or Adoption allowance administration
• Experience using LCS
• Experience using LIFT
• Knowledge of public sector payment procedures

Additional Information

Candidate Submission Deadline: 15 November 2026
Target Interview Date: 3 November 2026
Interview Format: Online via Microsoft Teams
Interview Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Maximum CVs per Agency: 3

The listed interview date falls before the submission deadline, so the Council may need to clarify the recruitment timetable.

Required at candidate submission:

• Right to work in the UK
• CV
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Basic DBS
• Three years of references/work history

Disclaimer

On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role.

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Fix Space Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

Job Reference: OR119798

Strict Screening Questions

1. Do you have experience in financial administration?
2. Are you confident using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365?
3. Have you completed means-tested assessments or reviewed financial information?
4. Have you managed payment records or financial spreadsheets?
5. Have you worked in public administration or Children's Services?
6. Can you handle confidential financial and personal information?
7. Can you attend initial training and one office day per week in Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet or Yeovil?
8. Are you available from 16 November 2026, and do you have the right to work in the UK?

Skills

Financial Administration, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft 365, Means-Tested Assessments, Children's Services, Allowance Payments, LCS, LIFT, Financial Records, GDPR