Senior Business Operations Assistant

Somerset Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave (pro rata)

LGPS pension scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council in Taunton is seeking a Senior Business Operations Assistant to support Children's Social Care teams. You will coordinate meetings, maintain records, and help ensure services run smoothly, enabling social workers to prioritise safeguarding children.

Based at County Hall with a hybrid pattern, you may attend Hillside occasionally for cross-team collaboration. The role is 30 hours per week, part-time and permanent, with a Grade 14 salary of £26,016–£26,847 pro-rata per annum.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build professional relationships with a wide range of people.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to handling sensitive information accurately and confidentially.
• Strong digital skills, including experience using Microsoft 365 applications and electronic record systems.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with experience providing effective business or administrative support within a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Help social workers spend more time supporting children and families by providing high-quality operational and administrative support.
• Coordinate and record important multi-agency meetings, ensuring key decisions, actions and outcomes are captured accurately and on time.
• Build positive relationships with families, carers and partner organisations to help services work together effectively for children and young people.
• Maintain accurate records and performance information that support safeguarding, service quality and effective decision-making.
• Arrange essential services, appointments and support, helping children and young people receive the right help when they need it most.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Digital skills

Team collaboration

Job description

Salary: Grade 14 – £26,016 - £26,847 pro-rata per annum

Contract: Part Time - Permanent

Hours: 30 hours

Closing Date: 25th October 2026

About The Role

Every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, supported and able to achieve their potential. As a Senior Business Operations Assistant, you'll play a key role behind the scenes in helping Children's Social Care teams deliver that support. While you may not be working directly with children and families every day, the work you do will make a real difference to the services they receive and the outcomes they achieve.

Our Children's Social Care teams support vulnerable children, young people, families and carers across Somerset. Working as part of a dedicated Business Operations team, you'll help ensure vital services run smoothly, enabling social workers and frontline colleagues to focus on supporting children and improving lives.

As a Senior Business Operations Assistant, you'll be at the heart of a busy and rewarding service. You'll work closely with social workers, managers, families and partner organisations, helping to coordinate key activities, organise important meetings and maintain accurate information that supports informed decision-making. This is a role where your organisation, professionalism and attention to detail will directly contribute to safeguarding children and supporting better outcomes for young people across Somerset. If you're looking for a role with purpose, variety and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Based at County Hall, Taunton, this role offers a blend of office and home working, with colleagues typically attending the office one to two days per week in line with service needs. You'll also spend approximately one Friday each month at our Hillside office, providing an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the wider service.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Help social workers spend more time supporting children and families by providing high-quality operational and administrative support.
• Coordinate and record important multi-agency meetings, ensuring key decisions, actions and outcomes are captured accurately and on time.
• Build positive relationships with families, carers and partner organisations to help services work together effectively for children and young people.
• Maintain accurate records and performance information that support safeguarding, service quality and effective decision-making.
• Arrange essential services, appointments and support, helping children and young people receive the right help when they need it most.

What You'll Bring

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build professional relationships with a wide range of people.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to handling sensitive information accurately and confidentially.
• Strong digital skills, including experience using Microsoft 365 applications and electronic record systems.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with experience providing effective business or administrative support within a team environment.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• 25 days (pro rata) annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about Working at Somerset Council: Working at Somerset Council

Further Information

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Katherine Hughes at [e-mail]

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the job description here: AG0261 Senior Business Operations Assistant (1).pdf

If you currently work for Somerset Council, please apply via the internal SuccessFactors careers page.

Please note: If we receive a large number of applications, we may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Job Ref:1488/SGQ