Business Operations Assistant

As a Business Operations Assistant you will provide accurate, well‑organised administrative and financial support to social work teams, ensuring timely processing and monitoring of payments, effective use of case systems, and high‑quality support to practitioners. You will maintain accurate financial records, prepare and share key financial information to support decision-making, and act as a first point of contact for carers, suppliers, service users and colleagues. Additionally, you will use initiative to resolve routine queries, address data issues, and ensure compliance with Council policies, financial controls, equality, diversity and inclusion standards, and health and safety requirements.

What You’ll Do – Key Responsibilities

• Provide proactive administrative and financial support to social work teams, including:
• Processing payments to suppliers and carers
• Booking travel and accommodation for service users
• Offering guidance and support to Social Workers
• Produce and send routine correspondence, including raising payment queries
• Carry out detailed checks to ensure payments are accurate and compliant with policies
• Prioritise workloads effectively based on service needs and activity levels
• Prepare financial information, such as commitment spreadsheets, to support decision-making
• Maintain accurate records on LIFT and LCS systems, identifying and correcting errors where appropriate
• Respond to queries from staff, carers, suppliers and the public, resolving issues or escalating where needed
• Ensure financial records are stored in line with corporate guidelines
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and uphold health, safety and wellbeing standards in all work

Essential – knowledge, experience & skills

• Working knowledge of administrative and financial processes, including payment processing, validation and financial record keeping
• Understanding of accuracy, confidentiality and compliance when handling financial and personal information
• Awareness of prioritising work to support service delivery
• Knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion principles in a public service setting
• Knowledge of financial controls, audit requirements or public sector financial procedures
• Experience providing administrative support in a busy office or service environment
• Experience handling financial information, including processing and checking payments for accuracy and compliance
• Experience responding to routine enquiries from customers and colleagues
• Experience organising and prioritising workload to meet deadlines
• GCSEs (or equivalent), including English and Maths
• Evidence of basic IT literacy through qualification, training or experience
• Willingness to undertake relevant training
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work accurately
• Good IT skills, including using databases or systems to input, update and extract data
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to use initiative and judgement within set procedures, escalating issues appropriately

Desirable

• Awareness of social care services and how admin support contributes to frontline delivery
• Understanding of data quality standards within case management systems
• Awareness of records management and archiving requirements in a local authority
• Experience supporting social work or operational teams
• Experience preparing financial or performance information (e.g. spreadsheets, reports)
• Experience working with suppliers, carers or external organisations on payments or queries
• Experience using case management or financial systems
• NVQ Level 2+ (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance or related subject
• Training in financial administration or data protection
• Customer service qualification or training
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in an admin or finance role
• Ability to work with financial data accurately and identify discrepancies
• Ability to identify and resolve data errors or inconsistencies
• Confidence using spreadsheets to prepare or present financial information
• Good interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with colleagues
• Ability to remain calm, professional and customer-focused when handling queries

Additional Information

• Permanent. 18.5 hours per week.
• Hybrid Working - you must be available to work on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Office at County Hall, Taunton.
• 25 days annual leave (additional to bank holidays), Pro Rata for Part time.
• Regretfully, 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 position, please contact Julie Larcombe, Business Operations Manager at julie.larcombe@somerset.gov.uk or Nermin Ibrahim at Nermin.Ibrahim@somerset.gov.uk.