Business Support Officer

Business Support Officer  
Location: Barnsley
Client: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Contract Type: Temporary (3 months)
Hours: Full-time – Monday to Friday, 08:30–17:00
Salary: £15.66 per hour (Umbrella)
Role Overview
We are seeking two skilled Business Support Officers to provide high-quality administrative and minute-taking support to two key service areas within Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Both positions are initially office-based for a minimum of 6 weeks, with the potential to move to a hybrid model (3 days in-office, 2 days from home) once independent working is established. Flexibility to attend meetings in person as required is essential.

Position 1: Adoption & Fostering Service Support
Location: Westgate Plaza, Barnsley

• Minute-taking and transcription for key meetings.
• Completing medical and statutory checks for prospective Foster Carers and Adopters.
• Supporting with a range of general administrative duties.

Position 2: Integrated Front Door Support
Locations: Worsbrough & Cudworth offices

• Handling phone enquiries and monitoring shared inboxes.
• Supporting various administrative and customer service functions.
• Providing flexible support based on service demand.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide efficient, confidential administrative support to frontline and statutory services.
• Respond to telephone and face-to-face enquiries, offering guidance and signposting.
• Triage and direct referrals across multiple channels to ensure timely service delivery.
• Input, maintain, and retrieve data using digital and paper-based systems in line with GDPR.
• Support and minute statutory meetings, often involving sensitive or emotive content.
• Perform financial administration tasks including processing orders, invoices, and income reconciliation.
• Handle petty cash responsibly in line with council regulations.
• Liaise effectively with internal teams, partner agencies, and members of the public.
• Balance multiple priorities and interruptions while maintaining service quality.
• Contribute to ongoing development and improvement of business support systems.

Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Training

• Level 2 qualification or equivalent (e.g. 4 GCSEs at Grades A*–C)
• Training in Microsoft Office applications

Essential Experience

• Business support experience in a local authority or similar environment
• Handling confidential and sensitive information professionally
• Working with financial information and systems
• Taking and transcribing minutes with speed and accuracy

Desirable Experience

• Minute-taking directly onto mobile devices
• Experience with local authority financial systems

Knowledge & Skills
Essential Knowledge

• Understanding of current local government issues
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic records systems
• Knowledge of confidentiality, data protection, and safe working practices

Desirable Knowledge

• Familiarity with local government financial regulations

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Fluent English, meeting public sector language requirements
• Ability to manage large volumes of data accurately
• Emotional resilience and professionalism in difficult situations
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Effective team player with a flexible approach
• Ability to minute directly onto mobile devices accurately (desirable)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work flexibly to meet business needs
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Ability to travel to various sites as required
• Alignment with Barnsley Council’s vision, values, and behaviours

If you are interested in the role and would like to contact me for further information on the role you can contact myself on the details below. 
At Service Care Solutions we also offer a £250 bonus for referrals! If you think you know someone who would be ideal for this role and they are placed in the job you will then receive £250 at the end of their probationary period.

To apply for this role, or to refer someone else, then please do not hesitate to contact Jack at Service Care Solutions on 01772208964 or email on Jack.Lonsdale@Servicecare.org.uk