At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the welcoming face of the Family Time Centre, supporting children in care and their families.
- Company: Join Suffolk County Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in local communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, up to 29 days leave, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working in a caring, collaborative team environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration or Customer Service, plus strong IT skills.
- Other info: We value potential and welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 25198 - 25198 £ per year.
- Suffolk County Council
- Address: Family Time Centre, Riverside, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ – Onsite
- Salary: £25,198 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
- Contract: Permanent
We\’re focused on making a meaningful difference to communities across Suffolk. How? By listening to our people, learning from what they say, and creating a culture of mutual respect, where everyone works together to achieve great things. As a Support and Information Officer in the Lowestoft and Waveney Family Time Team, you\’ll be as keen to collaborate and build a bright future as we are. So, to make a positive impact, connect with us and connect with a fantastic career.
Reimagine the possibilities
Your role and responsibilities
You will be the welcoming face of the Family Time Centre. You\’ll play a vital role in supporting children in care to safely spend time with their families in a warm, safe, and supportive environment.
You will:
- greet children and families and manage the reception area
- support the Family Time Coordinator with building and safety tasks
- maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment
- handle administrative duties such as scheduling, room bookings, and data entry
- assist with financial processes like ordering and invoicing
- act as a Fire Warden and First Aider on-site
- collaborate with colleagues and partners to ensure smooth delivery of Family Time sessions.
You will need
- NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration, Customer Service or equivalent experience
- Strong IT skills and attention to detail
- Experience in office administration and customer service
- A warm, approachable manner and the ability to work with families in sensitive situations
- A flexible, can-do attitude and a commitment to safeguarding
Even if you don\’t meet every requirement, we\’d still love to hear from you. We value potential and are committed to supporting your growth.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word) .If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply.
The team
Our Family Time Team is dedicated to creating safe, supportive spaces where children in care can maintain meaningful connections with their families. We\’re proud of the difference we make every day and the collaborative, caring culture we\’ve built. You\’ll be joining a passionate team that values trust, empathy, shared purpose, compassion, professionalism, and teamwork.
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 (suffolk.gov.uk) .
For more information
Please contact our Practice Managers, Ian Rhodes (he/him) on 07540669298 or email Ian.Rhodes@suffolk.gov.uk or Caren Elvin (she/her) on 07872419629 or email caren.elvin@suffolk.gov.uk for a casual conversation.
How to apply
Step 1 -Read the Job and Person Profile (word)
Step 2 – Click Apply Now\’ to start your online application.
Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template .
- Tell us about a time you were the first point of contact for a service. How did you ensure a warm and professional welcome?
- What systems or tools have you used for data entry and reporting? How do you ensure data quality?
- Describe a time when you supported a colleague or team during a busy or challenging period.
- Describe a situation where you had to deal with a sensitive or distressed customer. How did you manage it?
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. 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 calling 03456 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, 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.#Onsite
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
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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Support and Information Officer employer: Suffolk County Council
Contact Detail:
Suffolk County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Support and Information Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Family Time Centre's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces for children in care will help you align your responses during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Suffolk County Council. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive situations and provide excellent customer service. This will be crucial in showcasing your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Reach out to the Practice Managers, Ian or Caren, for an informal chat about the role. This shows initiative and gives you a chance to ask questions that could set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Support and Information Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description and person profile. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills for the Support and Information Officer position.
Craft Your Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is crucial. Answer each question clearly and concisely, using specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your skills and suitability for the role.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Highlight any previous roles or experiences that relate directly to the responsibilities of the Support and Information Officer. Emphasise your customer service skills and ability to handle sensitive situations.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, take the time to proofread your application. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your statements are clear and professional. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Show Your Warmth
As a Support and Information Officer, you'll be the first point of contact for families. Make sure to convey your warm and approachable manner during the interview. Share examples of how you've created a welcoming environment in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Administrative Skills
Highlight your experience with office administration and customer service. Be prepared to discuss specific tools or systems you've used for data entry and scheduling, as well as how you ensure data quality.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This role requires working closely with colleagues and partners. Talk about your experiences in teamwork, especially during busy or challenging times, and how you supported your team to achieve common goals.
✨Prepare for Sensitive Situations
You'll encounter families in sensitive situations, so it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to handle distressing scenarios. Prepare a story that illustrates how you managed a difficult interaction with a customer while maintaining professionalism and empathy.