Apprentice Risk and Assurance Assistant in Bishop Auckland

As part of our Risk and Assurance Team, you'll play a key role in keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. You'll be right at the heart of the department, supporting a wide range of activities.

Wage: Competitive wage offered: £19,000 per annum.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 37 hours a week.

Start date: Monday 14 September 2026.

Duration: 1 year 6 months.

Positions available: 1.

What you'll do at work:

• Logging claims
• Completing meeting notes and ensuring all documentation is complete
• Supporting the Insurance Team with records, claims and queries
• Assisting the Business Continuity Team to plan for the unexpected (think incidents, disruptions and "what if?" scenarios)
• Getting stuck into debriefs so the organisation can learn, adapt and become stronger
• Working with people across the business, building confidence and learning how different teams operate

Where you'll work: You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship. This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• Country House, 27 Longfield Road, South Church Enterprise Park, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6XB
• Spectrum 6, Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, Durham, SR7 7TT

Training provider: EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

Training course: Business administrator (level 3)

What you'll learn:

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages.
• Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem.
• Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals.
• Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management.
• Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work.
• Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures.
• Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
• Exercises proactivity and good judgement.
• Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way.
• Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation.
• Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately.
• Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face‑to‑face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms.
• Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively.
• Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately.
• Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately.
• Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
• Completes tasks to a high standard.
• Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work.
• Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements.
• Shares administrative best‑practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly.
• Applies problem‑solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines.
• Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace.
• Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation).
• Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities.
• Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate.
• Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report.
• Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects.
• Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule: This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you'll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements:

Essential qualifications:

• GCSE in English (grade 4)
• GCSE in Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills:

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills

About this employer: Believe Housing is one of the North East's largest housing associations and we pride ourselves on putting our tenants and our people at the heart of everything we do and making them part of our journey in providing better housing services, homes, and communities. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce to deliver our vision and values of life without barriers and to do the right thing: for our people, for our customers, for our business.

Company benefits:

• A competitive salary of £19,000 per annum
• 31 days annual leave
• Up to four days paid volunteering leave each year
• Excellent pension scheme

Disability Confident: A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long‑term health condition. This includes non‑visible disabilities and conditions. You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You'll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship: Opportunity to apply for full‑time internal vacancies at Believe Housing.

Contact: EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000034466.