SEND Operational Support Officer

Bristol City Council; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Local Government Pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Bristol City Council, City Hall Bristol, is seeking an administrative professional to join the Statutory SEND Team for a fixed-term 6-month period with potential extension. The role is primarily office-based with some remote working and occasional travel to other sites.

You will handle complex administrative tasks, respond to enquiries, and drive process improvements while upholding the council's values. Applicants must be prepared for a Basic DBS check.

Qualifications

• A Basic DBS check is required.
• Demonstrate ability to work in a Statutory SEND context and follow guidance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage complex administrative tasks from start to finish.
• Handle day-to-day operational issues and make decisions in line with guidance.
• Respond to enquiries from colleagues, partners, and families, including escalated issues.
• Promote Bristol City Council’s values: Dedicated, Respect, Ownership, Curious, Collaborative.
• Drive improvements in processes and systems.

Skills

Administrative skills

Clear communication

Problem solving

Stakeholder liaison

Hybrid working

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job reference VAC008992 Date posted 23/10/2026 Application closing date 09/11/2026 Location City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR Salary BG8: £30,023 - £32,046 Package Flexible workingPension scheme Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Education Attachments Job Description.pdf Person Specification.pdf

Full Time, Fixed Term for 6 months with possibility of extension

Join Our Statutory SEND Team

You will have the opportunity to join the Statutory SEND Team and contribute to delivering a high-quality service that meets legal requirements and supports the best interests of children, young people, and their families across Bristol. Your role will be central to ensuring effective processes and positive outcomes for those who rely on our service.

About the Role

You will provide operational support across the Post 14 area of the SEND Service. You will take ownership of complex administrative processes and make decisions that keep things running smoothly. You will respond to enquiries, resolve issues, and help improve systems and procedures.

You will work closely with colleagues, managers, and external partners. At times, you will manage challenging situations, so clear communication and problem-solving skills are essential.

This is mainly an office-based role, with flexibility for some remote working. Occasionally, you may need to travel to other sites.

What You’ll Do

• Coordinate and manage complex administrative tasks from start to finish.
• Handle day-to-day operational issues and make decisions in line with guidance.
• Respond to enquiries from colleagues, partners, and families, including escalated issues.
• Promote Bristol City Council’s values: Dedicated, Respect, Ownership, Curious, Collaborative.
• Drive improvements in processes and systems.

Please note that this role is subject to a Basic DBS Check.Bristol City Council are not offering sponsorship for this role.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Debbie Harrison [e-mail]

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.

Thepersonal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.