Administrative Assistant / Officer 

Location: Newport 
 Pay Rate: £14.24 per hour PAYE holiday pay inclusive 
 Duration: 4 months with potential extension 
 Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely (Monday and Friday)
 Start Date: ASAP
 Department: Legal Services – Children and Adult Social Care

Job Overview

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Administrative Assistant / Officer to join the Legal Services team within a local authority in Newport.

This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and detail-oriented administrator with experience providing administrative or business support, ideally within a local authority, legal services or social care environment.

The successful candidate will provide essential administrative support to the Children and Adult Social Care Team, assisting solicitors with the preparation of legal documentation, court bundles, evidence collation, document management and general team administration.

You will also help coordinate the team's online case management system, maintain accurate records, manage document archives and build effective working relationships with internal departments and external organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to solicitors within the Children and Adult Social Care Team.
• Assist with drafting, preparing and organising court papers and other legal documentation.
• Collate evidence and assist with preparing, filing and maintaining court bundles.
• Arrange expert reports and coordinate payments of expert fees.
• Organise the delivery of urgent documents and correspondence.
• Maintain accurate records of payments to suppliers.
• Manage and maintain the team's document archive, ensuring documents are stored logically and can be retrieved efficiently.
• Coordinate the team's online case management system, ensuring new matters are opened and correctly labelled.
• Maintain workflows and update the team's document and precedent library.
• Identify system training requirements and report any issues or feedback to the software provider.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal council departments, external organisations and stakeholders.
• Provide general administrative and business support to the wider service when required.

Essential Requirements

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent at grades A*–C, including English and Mathematics.
• Experience using an IT-based case management system.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Good organisational skills and excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A logical and methodical approach to completing administrative tasks.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience working within a local authority or public sector environment.
• Experience working within a legal services, childcare law or social care team.
• Knowledge of Children and Adult Social Care services.
• Experience preparing legal documentation, court paperwork or court bundles.
• Familiarity with online case management systems and document management processes.