Referral and Information Officer

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Grade D. Scale 7 - £13,201 to Scale 10 - £13,847 (actual salary)

Hours Per Week: 18

Base Location: Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6BH

Assessment Date: Week commencing 6^th April 2026

The Role

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Do you bring compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, and courage to your practice? If so, Tameside is looking for you.

At the heart of this role is our Heart of Support Practice Approach, underpinned by the 5 C’s Compassion, Curiosity, Collaboration, Conversation and Courage. These values are the golden thread in how we work with children, families and each other. You will champion the Heart of Support and play a pivotal role in embedding systemic practice across the service.

We are seeking a passionate, committed, creative, highly organised and detail oriented individual for the role of Referral and Information Officer (RIO). RIOs provide a crucial role within the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) ensuring that vital information for and about children is recorded. You will be working in a fast-paced environment and be responsible for:

• Creating electronic records, ensuring demographic information is correct
• Uploading information onto the electronic records,
• Answering calls,
• Providing accurate advice and information regarding services available to children in Tameside,
• Processing invoices and financial payments

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Children Social Care in Tameside at an exciting time as we continue to develop our services for children.

This position is for 18 hours a week ideally working Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Your Job Description and Person Specification will be attached to the advert for more detail.

About You

You will be passionate about getting it right for children, keeping children at the heart of everything you do.

You will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.

Excellent communication skills with an attention to detail.

Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Knowledge of safeguarding principles and relevant legislation (Children Act, Working Together to Safeguard Children).

IT literate with experience using case management systems and Microsoft Office.

About Us

Message from Jill Colbert, Director of Children’s Services

“I joined the council at the beginning of 2025 and was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of colleagues.

“I came to Tameside for one reason; because I know we can do fantastic things for our families here.

“We’re a children’s service on a significant improvement journey. We know what needs to be different for our children and families and we’re ambitious to deliver that change.

“We have a growing range of specialist services for children, where you can test and grow your skills and practice. We have a Social Work Academy that is led by people who bring passion to learning and who know that the DCS’ of the future are right in front of them. We are working on our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have investment in innovation and improvement from the council so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.

“I am so certain that we can build a proud, inclusive and safe climate for great practice to flourish in Tameside. I’d love you to join me on the journey here at Team Tameside.”

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Basic Disclosure Procedures.

This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here

We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel.

For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager on 0161 342 2993 or cath.mowll@tameside.gov.uk