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- Tasks: Support financial operations for children's residential homes, managing accounts and payments.
- Company: Join West Sussex County Council, dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible part-time hours, a supportive team, and access to various employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your financial skills in a caring environment.
- Qualifications: A levels (A-D) or equivalent experience, with strong numeracy and communication skills required.
- Other info: This role involves travel between sites; a DBS check is mandatory.
The predicted salary is between 28624 - 31067 £ per year.
About the Role
Salary: £28,624 to £31,067 per annum (£23,208 to £25,189 pro rata)
Contract Type: Fixed Term/Secondment, covering maternity leave
Working Pattern: Part time (30 hours per week, flexible shift patterns to be discussed at interview)
Location: Based in Cuckfield, Haywards Heath but also to cover in Crawley
We are seeking a passionate individual with excellent organisational and a strong customer service ethic and a \”can do\” attitude to support our Children\’s Residential Homes.
As a Bursar, you will work to support a group of residential homes around all day-to-day financial responsibilities. You will be responsible for detailed monitoring of Home\’s accounts, advising on the reason for an implication of variances and any recommendations. You will manage petty cash and ensure appropriate use of the Home\’s bank accounts, process orders and approve payments ensuring correct financial control is applied. Day-to-day operations are managed by our Home\’s Managers, with strategic oversight and developmental support provided by our Business Manager.
You will be required to undertake all required training appropriate to your role, including basic training in relation to communication with and care of children, including awareness of Team Teach which supports children to be safe and safeguarding.
As public transport options are limited to our homes, successful applicants should be prepared to travel to sites using their own means.
Internal candidates wishing to apply for this role will be considered for a secondment position. Please can you therefore discuss and agree this with your manager before applying for this position.
About Us
WSCC operate a range of children\’s homes which provide a diverse range of services to some of the most vulnerable and \’at risk\’ children in the County, ranging in age from 7 to 18 years. These services include full time care (Looked After Children), short breaks, shared care, outreach services, day care and access to clubs and activities in the homes. The children looked after within our homes present varying levels of risk to themselves and others. The services we provide to those not looked after on a full-time basis have a significant and direct impact in reducing the risk of familial breakdown.
Our aim at WSCC is to put the children first and secure the best outcomes for them by listening to their needs and ensuring they have a voice and are heard. All children in residential care should be loved, happy, healthy, safe from harm and able to develop, thrive and fulfil their potential. It is our responsibility to ensure that this happens.
About You
To succeed at this role, you will need some of the following key skills and experience:
- Ability to analyse complex financial information and draw sound practical conclusions and appropriate actions.
- Clear and effective communications skills to present information for managers and contribute to reports.
- Good numeracy skills in order to make sound and accurate financial calculations, working with an understanding of finance.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team to support the Homes while working to a high standard and within agreed timescales, using own initiative where required to resolve any issues while at a Home.
- Ability to work flexibly to allocated duties as part of a small team supporting across the County when necessary.
- Experience of providing specialist advice to a range of people, including explaining complex financial information and working in a customer orientated environment.
- 3 A levels at A-D (Maths related desirable) or equivalent qualification or experience demonstrating that level of ability, applied knowledge and understanding.
For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.
Rewards and Benefits
As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do. Upon joining us you will have access to a range of benefits including the following:
In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity you will receive:
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is CAFHE05855
To apply, upload your CV and cover letter explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and an occupational health check.
Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.
For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran\’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme, this can be found on our application help page.
Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We\’ll be in touch directly if we need you!
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Bursar - Children\'s Residential Home employer: West Sussex County Council
Contact Detail:
West Sussex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bursar - Children\'s Residential Home
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial responsibilities outlined in the job description. Understanding the nuances of managing petty cash and bank accounts will help you demonstrate your readiness for the role during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your experience in customer service and how it relates to working with vulnerable children. Highlighting your ability to communicate effectively and provide specialist advice will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects in the past. This will illustrate your capability to work independently and as part of a team, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research West Sussex County Council's values and mission regarding children's welfare. Being able to align your personal values with theirs during the interview will demonstrate your commitment to their goals and enhance your candidacy.
We think you need these skills to ace Bursar - Children\'s Residential Home
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Bursar position. Highlight key skills such as financial analysis, communication, and customer service in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the job. Emphasise any relevant financial experience, qualifications, and your ability to work with children or in a care environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly explains why you are a good fit for the role. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your organisational skills and customer service ethic.
Address Employment Gaps: If you have gaps in your employment history, be sure to address them in your CV. Briefly explain what you were doing during those times, whether it was further education, volunteering, or personal development.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Sussex County Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Bursar in a Children's Residential Home. Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with the financial management and customer service aspects of the role.
✨Showcase Your Financial Skills
Since the role involves analysing complex financial information, be ready to provide examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed finances or resolved discrepancies. Highlight your numeracy skills and any relevant qualifications.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you've communicated complex information to various stakeholders in previous positions. You might even want to practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Teamwork
The job requires working both independently and as part of a team. Be ready to share examples of how you've adapted to changing circumstances and collaborated with others to achieve common goals, especially in a customer-oriented environment.
