Service Support Officer

East Sussex County Council; Lewes; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

East Sussex County Council’s Education Division is seeking a Service Support Officer to coordinate policy and guidance across the division and provide specialist admin support. You will act as a contact for a wide range of enquiries, including statutory requests, and support inspections and engagement activities.

You will also lead a small administrative team, ensuring systems are efficient, records are accurate, and staff development and wellbeing are supported.

Qualifications

• RQF level 3 qualification in a relevant field such as project management, education and training, teaching and learning or customer service
• Ability to use IT systems and managing accurate records
• Able to work independently, prioritise effectively and manage competing demands
• Experienced in working across partnerships, including leading or facilitating meetings
• Knowledgeable in SEND legislation and committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Responsibilities

• Coordinate guidance, policy and procedure instructions across the Education Division.
• Provide specialist administrative support, help improve systems and processes, and contribute to projects that support organisational effectiveness and service improvement.
• Act as a key contact for enquiries from elected members, council officers, governors, school staff, parents and the public, coordinating responses as appropriate.
• Support responses to Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Local Government Ombudsman and similar requests, ensuring they are completed accurately within statutory timescales.
• Prepare for inspections, support consultation activity, produce clear guidance for different audiences, contribute to communications and engagement activity, and oversee departmental events and conferences.
• Manage a team of administrative staff, supporting their development, performance and wellbeing.

Skills

Organisation

Communication

Project support

Partnership working

Data protection knowledge

FOI handling

Education

RQF level 3 qualification in a relevant field

Job description

Job Description

If you have strong organisational, communication and project support skills, enjoy working across services and partnerships, and are passionate about supporting work that improves outcomes for children and young people, this could be the role for you.

As a Service Support Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the Education Division within Children’s Services. The Education Division is responsible for the council’s strategy to improve educational outcomes for children and young people across East Sussex, particularly those who are vulnerable to underachievement.

Working closely with Heads of Service and the wider leadership team, you will develop, manage and coordinate guidance, policy and procedure instructions across the division. You will provide specialist administrative support, help improve systems and processes, and contribute to projects that support organisational effectiveness and service improvement.

You will also act as a key point of contact for a wide range of enquiries from elected members, council officers, governors, school staff, parents and members of the public, coordinating responses as appropriate. The role includes supporting responses to Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Local Government Ombudsman and similar requests, ensuring these are completed accurately and within statutory timescales.

This is a varied role where you will help prepare for inspections, support consultation activity, produce clear guidance and information for different audiences, contribute to communications and engagement activity, and oversee the planning of departmental events and conferences. You will also manage a team of administrative staff, supporting their development, performance and wellbeing.

This is an excellent opportunity to use your skills in administration, communication, project coordination and people management to support services that make a real difference for children, young people and families across East Sussex.

This is a 12 month fixed term post.

Existing ESCC employees may apply for a secondment opportunity with permission from their line manager. Please review the Secondment Policy ( Secondments and Acting Up arrangements | ESCC Intranet ) for more information.

We Are Looking For Candidates Who

• RQF level 3 qualification in a relevant field such as project management, education and training, teaching and learning or customer service
• Ability to use IT systems and managing accurate records
• Able to work independently, prioritise effectively and manage competing demands
• Experienced in working across partnerships, including leading or facilitating meetings
• Knowledgeable in SEND legislation and committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Inclusion

We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are working towards a workforce that reflects the communities we serve because we recognise the value of different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

Why Join Us?

You will be joining a committed and collaborative Education Division that works to improve outcomes for all children and young people across East Sussex—particularly those most vulnerable to underachievement.

This Role Offers The Opportunity To

• Work closely with school leaders and system partners across the county
• Contribute to meaningful projects that impact education outcomes
• Develop your skills in project management, partnership working and strategic support
• Be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team
• A commitment to a model of reflective practice based on regular supervision to support all employees in their professional development.
• A continued professional development (CPD) programme to ensure your personal and professional skills and knowledge are enhanced and developed to support the performance of the service.
• A fellow team of motivated and committed professionals, and a supportive wider management team.

You’ll also benefit from a comprehensive induction, ongoing professional development, and access to a wide range of employee benefits.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, contact Katie Ridgway, Head of Education: Inclusion and Partnerships, [e-mail]

For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!

About Us

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record . Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.