Data Officer

The Senior Data Officer plays a critical role in ensuring the council meets its statutory obligations for Families First, Early Help and Children's Services. This role provides advanced analytical capability, leads on providing data for statutory submissions, and acts as a key liaison between operational teams and senior managers. The postholder ensures that all statutory datasets are accurate, timely, compliant, and aligned with national guidance.

This role requires a blend of technical expertise, service knowledge, and the ability to interpret complex guidance and translate it into operational requirements. Technical Skills

• Advanced data analysis and interpretation, including the ability to work with complex multi-system datasets.
• Strong SQL skills for extracting, transforming, and validating Families First and Early Help data.
• High-level Power BI capability, including data modelling, DAX, and automated validation dashboards.
• Understanding of statutory frameworks, including Early Help Census, CIN Census, and related DfE guidance.
• Experience with case management systems

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication, able to translate technical requirements into clear guidance.
• Task management and allocation, ensuring effective allocation of work to Data Officers and Support Officers and tracking progress whilst ensuring high standards.
• Stakeholder engagement, working confidently with all levels of staff.
• Time management, able to manage statutory deadlines and competing priorities

Essential Experience

• Significant experience delivering statutory returns in Children's Services, Early Help, Families First, or similar public sector environments.
• Experience working with sensitive family and children's data, with a strong understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality.
• Advanced analytical and reporting experience, including producing insights for senior leaders.
• Experience improving data quality, including designing validation rules
• Use of SQL, Power BI, and advanced Excel for data manipulation and reporting.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of DfE statutory guidance
• Experience contributing to inspection readiness (Ofsted, DfE, internal audit).
• Understanding of data governance frameworks, retention schedules, and GDPR.