Business Support Officer

Suffolk County Council

• Address: Beacon House, Ipswich, IP1 5PB – Hybrid 
• Salary: £25,185 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment until 31 March 2026

We are seeking a Business Support Officer for the Coordinated Health Risk Intervention Service (CHRIS). This is a valuable opportunity to support service delivery and best practice until the end of the contract in March 2026. You will be required to complete a range of comprehensive administrative duties to support the efficient delivery of services within CHRIS.

Your role and responsibilities 

Providing administrative support to a multi-disciplinary crisis outreach team working with children and young people aged 0-18. This includes managing stationery and equipment orders and responding to team queries.

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records using systems such as SystmOne. Responsibilities include data retrieval, report preparation (standard and bespoke), and timely input of information.

Assisting Business Support Coordinators with compiling and submitting required returns and information for corporate and service-wide functions. This includes processing invoices and supporting other financial tasks.

Planning, organising, and supporting countywide, central, and external meetings/events. Ensure all administrative aspects are managed effectively, including taking and distributing meeting notes.

Contributing to the development of templates, publications, and materials for external communications, marketing, and business support activities.

Ensuring local authority databases, including SystmOne, are robustly maintained in real time. This involves keeping records accurate and correcting any errors to uphold high data quality standards.

Promoting the safeguarding of children and young people and uphold equality of opportunity in all aspects of service delivery.

You Will Need

• a NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration or equivalent experience
• strong administrative and organisational skills
• experience using Microsoft Office and data systems such as SystmOne
• ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• excellent communication skills and attention to detail
• understanding of confidentiality and data protection
• a collaborative and professional approach to teamwork.

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. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The Team

You’ll be joining a passionate and dedicated team within Suffolk County Council’s Children and Young People Services. The CHRIS service is:

• a risk support service focused on assessment, formulation, management, and stabilisation of risk
• designed to provide short-term crisis intervention rather than long-term therapeutic treatment
• multi-disciplinary, working across professional boundaries to support children, families, and practitioners
• committed to a whole-system approach that meets needs at any stage of a young person’s journey.

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 Louise Hagger (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 264425 or emailing louise.hagger@suffolk.gov.uk 

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application. 

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.

1. Describe a time when you had to manage multiple administrative tasks with competing deadlines. (What was the situation, how did you prioritise your workload, and what was the outcome?) 
2. Tell us about a time you supported a team through a period of change or uncertainty. (How did you adapt your approach, and what impact did your support have on the team or service?) 
3. Give an example of how you’ve maintained accurate records or data in a previous role. (What systems or processes did you use, and how did you ensure data quality and confidentiality?)
4. Describe a situation where you had to communicate effectively with internal or external stakeholders. (How did you tailor your communication, and what did you learn from the experience?) 

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

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 and CV, 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, 19 October 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).