Apprentice Administrator

– Suffolk County Council
– Address: West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU – Hybrid
– Salary: £23,656 per annum (pro rata for part time)
– Hours: 37 hours per week – Flexible working options available
– Contract: Fixed term for up to 21 months (apprenticeship)

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we’re driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That’s why, when you join us as an Apprentice Business Support Officer, you’ll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Suffolk County Council\’s Children and Young People\’s Services as an Apprentice Business Support Officer.
– Are you looking for a new learning opportunity?
– Would you like to use your administrative skills to help make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people in Suffolk?

Your role and responsibilities
Working as part of a team you will:
– provide a range of administrational and financial support services to front line staff that work with vulnerable children and families.
– receive full training in the systems and processes required to complete the role.
– act as a first point of contact on the telephone for members of the public and professionals getting in touch with the teams you support.
– update and upload information to our case management database.
– arrange and minute meetings between staff, other professionals, and families.
– place orders with suppliers to support the work of the teams.

Your apprenticeship:
– Apprenticeship course name: Level 3 Business Administration – Business administrator
– Length of apprenticeship: 18 month duration

This position will support the completion of the apprenticeship through a provider and be mentored by team colleagues in the office. Time will be allowed within the working week to complete your \’off the job\’ learning.

We welcome apprenticeship applications from all ages and backgrounds. There\’s no upper age limit – it\’s never too late to start developing new skills. We want to provide opportunities for anyone interested in launching or advancing their career.

The apprenticeship you\’re applying for must build on your qualifications. If you have experience in this field, the apprenticeship you\’re applying for must be at a higher level.

Read the Job and Person Profile (docx) and the Apprenticeship Recruitment Brochure. They hold a range of information. During the apprenticeship, you\’ll be working towards the role described in those materials. You will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training and pursue certification. Completing your apprenticeship does not guarantee a full-time position. However, we are dedicated to helping you find a job. You will have priority access when you apply for vacancies. This applies during the final 3 months of your contract.

You will need
– Good and clear communication – You will be required to demonstrate good, clear verbal and written communication. You will need to be confident with dealing with a variety of people at different levels.
– The ability to work as part of a team – You will show the ability to build positive relationships with team members, whilst being professional and polite. You will be respectful and considerate of other team members and their views.
– A good understanding of IT and Microsoft packages – You will have a sound working knowledge of Microsoft packages, such as Word, Outlook and Excel. You will also be required to use Microsoft Teams, therefore knowledge of this or similar is desirable.

The team
– Children’s social care and family support teams have a positive impact on the most vulnerable children and families in Suffolk
– Our Business Support Team works closely with them, to help them to achieve their goals
– If you would like to use your administrational skills to make a difference to people’s lives, then this could be the role for you

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

For more information
Please contact one of our Business Support Assistant Managers Kersha Harris-Harvey, Gemma Brockwell or Rachael Greening on 01284 758777 for a casual conversation.

How to apply
Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP).
Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 300 words per question). You should use theSupporting Statement template.

Question 1 -Tell us what skills you have learned whilst at school/college, volunteering and/or working that you think will be useful to you in this role and why?

Question 2 -Tell us about something you are proud of and why?

Question 3 – Tell us about a time you\’ve been really determined to do something, what did you do? What happened as a result?

Question 4 – Why are you interested in working for our organisation?

Question5 – What are you hoping to gain from this apprenticeship?

Question 6 – Using our WeAspire values (see bottom of JPP); tell us about a time or situation when you have demonstrated one of these values?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11:30pm, 19 August 2025
Interview date: 27 August 2025

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:

up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).

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