Access to Information Assistant

Local Government Ombudsman; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service organization based in Coventry is seeking a detail-oriented Access to Information Assistant to manage data protection and freedom of information requests. The role involves processing requests under various legislation, ensuring documents are reviewed carefully, and managing priorities under tight deadlines. Ideal candidates will possess excellent written communication skills and the ability to follow processes accurately. This position offers a hybrid working model and various benefits including a pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, and ongoing learning opportunities.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development programs

Generous parental leave

Season ticket loan

Employee Assistance Scheme

Civil Service Sports Club membership

Eye care subsidies

Cycle to Work Scheme

Reasonable adjustments for staff

Responsibilities

• Process FOIA, EIR, GDPR, and DPA requests.
• Identify and redact personal data with precision.
• Issue responses that quote relevant legal exemptions.
• Manage priorities in a challenging environment.

Skills

Positive and flexible approach to tasks

Ability to follow processes with judgement

Quick learner of IT systems

Excellent written communication skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Hybrid working – allocated to our office in Coventry

Location

Based in Coventry.

Role

Are you passionate about transparency and accountability? Do you thrive in a fast‑paced environment where accuracy matters?

We're looking for a detail‑oriented Access to Information Assistant to join our team, processing data protection subject access requests and freedom of information requests that help maintain public trust in local government and social care services.

Working alongside our Information and Records Officer, you’ll play a vital role in upholding individuals’ rights to access information. Your responsibilities will include:

• Processing new requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (DPA)
• Reviewing documents to identify and redact personal data with precision and care
• Issuing timely responses that quote relevant legal exemptions
• Managing competing priorities in a challenging environment with tight deadlines

Details

• Position: Access to Information Assistant
• Hours: 35
• Salary: £30,253 to £36,117 per annum
• Holiday: 23 days rising by 1 day with three years’ service and a further 2 days with five years’ service

Requirements

Education

No specific qualifications are required. Please see the person specification for skills and experience needed for the role.

Skills

• Takes a positive and flexible approach to completing tasks to deadline without supervision
• Can diligently follow processes whilst applying sound judgement
• Learns new IT systems and software quickly
• Has excellent written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly
• Relishes working in a demanding environment where every request matters

Experience

Works with exceptional accuracy and meticulous attention to detail

Benefits

• Pension: You’ll be entitled to join the Local Government Pension Scheme which is a career average scheme.
• Work/life balance: We encourage all employees to have a healthy work/life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, such as agile working and flexi‑time, together with a wide range of different working patterns. All are subject to business needs.
• Learning and development: We provide our staff with access to a learning and development programme to enable them to succeed in their role. Where membership is relevant to your role in the organisation, we will also pay the annual membership fee for you to be a member of your professional body.
• Family‑friendly: We offer generous maternity, adoption, paternity and parental leave, and provide for paid and unpaid special leave.
• Season ticket loan: We offer our staff the ability to have a loan for their annual travel season ticket.
• Wellbeing: We have a programme which includes an Occupational Health Service and access for you to an excellent, confidential Employee Assistance Scheme. This is a free 24‑hour counselling service for advice about your work and personal life challenges.
• You will be able to join the Civil Service Sports Club.
• As well as reimbursing the cost of your eye tests, we will subsidise your eye care where a prescription is for VDU usage and we will cover the cost of an annual flu jab.
• Bike loan: We run a Cycle to Work Scheme which allows you to pay for the cost of your bike (up to a limit) as a loan which is deducted from your salary.
• Reasonable adjustments: We recognise how important it is to make reasonable changes for staff where appropriate.

About the LGSCO

For 50 years we’ve been the voice of the public. Our free and impartial service helps people put things right with their local council or adult social care provider. We use what we learn from complaints to improve local public services and independent adult social care provision. We act with impartiality and make fair decisions after listening to both sides of the story and weighing up all the evidence. So, if you want to make a difference and have the perspective we’re looking for, please get in touch.