Business Support Assistant

Please note that this is a fixed term contract/secondment opportunity until 28^th February 2026. As an ‘Anywhere Worker’ position, the role will involve a combination of remote and office based working. There will be an expectation for you to attend the office based at Goodman House, Harlow approximately 1 day per month in addition to ‘as and when’ there is a business need. There may also be a requirement to attend other Essex County Council offices during the fixed term contract.

About Us:

If you’re looking for a role where you can truly make a difference, this could be the perfect opportunity for you! Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families in Essex? An exciting opportunity awaits you in our newly formed SEND Service Support team, where you’ll provide essential administrative support to frontline Social Workers.

The SEND Operations Team carries out responsibilities that are set by the government on behalf of Essex children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They coordinate the Education Health and Care Plan process for children and young people in the administration of the 20-week statutory process.

Benefits:

• Healthy work life balance.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities.
• IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied.
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra.
• Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme.
• Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards.
• Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with LifeWorks.
• Up to 4 days per year Volunteering leave.

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found here pay and reward.

The Role:

As a Business Support Assistant, you will be providing high quality administration support to the SEND Operations teams. This role predominantly involves co-ordinating and actively contributing to statutory processes relating to children and young people with SEND. (Special Education Needs and Disabilities)

About You:

• Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE) including maths and English or an equivalent vocational qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Evidence of the ability to develop skills and knowledge in role.
• Demonstrable experience and competence of MS Office applications and their practical application.
• Ability to use computerised systems with a high level of speed and accuracy.
• Previous experience of managing electronic or hard copy filing systems.
• Ability to communicate in a manner which is easily understood and tailored to meet the needs of the audience.
• Experience of dealing with sensitive and/or personal information.
• Ability to think of improved ways of working and open to new practices and responsive to change.
• Ability to take ownership of work and fulfil agreed commitments, checking work for accuracy.
• Minuting/transcribing of a meetings may be required.

What will you be doing?

• Supporting to log incoming requests.
• Maintain the relevant tracking systems for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)applications.
• Corresponding with families and schools, supporting development of new plans.
• Support to manage changes to plans for students who are transferring schools/settings and the annual review of plans.
• Log incoming requests for EHCN needs assessment, ensuring the process is started in an effective and timely way and records are accurately created.
• Act as first point of contact for parents/carers, schools, settings and other partner agencies, signposting to relevant teams where appropriate and responding to queries wherever possible.
• Be responsible for ensuring that data is accurately recorded and that timescales are adhered to, escalating issues to the SEND Operations Lead.
• Issuing draft plans to families and responding to requests for changes, escalating to the SEND Operations Co-ordinator.
• Processing consultations for school places and issuing correspondence to schools including the final plan.
• Assisting SEND Ops staff with managing amendments for various key stage transitions.
• Managing inboxes and calls for the team.
• Fulfil other general admin requests as they arise.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Why Essex? 

To read more about us please visit:

Corporate Services

Entry to work - Working for Essex

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

How to apply:

Start your journey within Business Support by clicking the APPLY button now!

If you are interested in finding out more about this role or require further information, we would love to hear from you. Please email: work.placements@essex.gov.uk.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.

Additional Information:

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email work.placements@essex.gov.uk

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