Administration Manager

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Job Description

• Suffolk County Council - Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• £32,076 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• 37 hours per week, Flexible working options available
• Permanent

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we're driven to make a positive difference to Suffolk. That's why, when you join us as a SEND Administration Manager (Business Support), you'll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Suffolk County Council has pledged its commitment to improve services for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and features in the Suffolk corporate strategy as a key priority for Suffolk major programmes. For more information, please visit our plans

Your role and responsibilities

We have a fantastic Management Team and know that good leadership brings out the best in our staff. We are looking for someone who can demonstrate our WE ASPIRE values on a daily basis.

In this post, you will be overseeing and streamlining processes undertaken by the countywide Business Support Officers, supporting the Senior Managers in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) to implement changes and improvements. This role has the potential to bring you exciting new skills and opportunities, no two days will ever be the same.

You will:

• be the main contact for all Business Support enquiries and will need to be able to delegate tasks among your team
• line manager a team of Business Support, including Assistant Managers and a dedicated SEND Personal Assistant
• support and lead recruitment across SEND including working with recruitment managers to ensure recruitment is efficient
• learn all functions of the roles within the team you manage in order to provide a seamless business support service in times of absence or when necessary
• keep up with the developments of this newly formed team by attending all relevant management meetings and disseminating that information to the relevant teams
• be responsible for drafting responses to enquiries and ensuring the service meet their statutory timescales for requests such as Freedom of information and Subject Access Requests
• be responsible for supporting and empowering your reportees and colleagues to ensure they have all the tools required
• provide direct operational management of SEND Business support team
• contribute to the operational development of the SEND service, monitoring, tracking, and reviewing team performance
• collaborate closely with partners across SEND
• undertake staff supervision, performance management and professional development through performance and development reviews (PDRs)

Overall, you will play a vital role in driving continuous improvement of SEND services through operational leadership and strategic input.

What you will need

• A passion for improving the lives of children, young people and families in Suffolk.
• Knowledge of SEND legislation, policies and safeguarding practices would be of an advantage or the ability to demonstrate how you can learn quickly with a desire to support a high profile service.
• SEND experience/ Knowledge desired
• The ability to inspire, empower and develop a high-performing team.
• Strong financial and performance management capabilities.

Our ideal candidate is resilient, this will be a challenging and extremely rewarding job. We are looking for someone who can manage a number of priorities whilst ensuring they are able to reset when needed. Willingness to learn and grow is valued. You may not have all the technical expertise yet but if you have line managed previously or contributed to project work you may well have the transferrable skills we are looking for.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

You will be joining to support and develop the business support team, this will bring an opportunity for you to shine in leadership and create a positive working environment for all involved.

We hope this team will share opportunities for growth, camaraderie, and make an impact on the wider SEND service.

Due to the line management and visibility aspect of the role we would recommend working within the office for the majority of the week with home working being flexibly included.

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 Sophie Cooke for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing sophie.cooke@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 01473 265567.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx).

Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (docx).

1. Describe a time when you had to manage and motivate a team through a challenging situation. What strategies did you use, and what was the outcome?
2. Give an example of when you had to address a performance or conduct issue with a team member. What approach did you take, and what was the outcome?
3. Discuss your approach to fostering a positive team environment and encouraging collaboration among team members.

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: 11.30 pm, 27 May 2024

Promoted as JOTW (Job of the Week) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

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

About Us

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 more!

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