Senior Administrator

Suffolk County Council · Ipswich · £29,542 (stated in the posting)

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• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX - Hybrid 
• Salary: £29,542 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available 
• Contract: Permanent

We are focused on making a meaningful difference to communities across Suffolk. By listening to our people, learning from what they say and creating a culture of mutual respect, we work together to achieve great things. As a Senior Administrator within the Suffolk Safeguarding Children Partnership, you will play a vital role in helping partners work effectively together to safeguard children and improve outcomes for them and their families. If you are organised, proactive and keen to build a rewarding career, connect with us and reimagine the possibilities.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities 

As our Senior Administrator, you will co-ordinate high-quality administrative and financial processes that support the work of the Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and its Business Unit. You will work with colleagues and partner organisations, often handling sensitive and challenging information, and help ensure meetings, actions, communications and business systems run smoothly.

Day to day, you will:

• organise Board meetings, associated partnership meetings and events, liaising with colleagues and external partners
• prepare and distribute agendas and papers, take accurate minutes and support the follow-up of actions
• act as a first point of contact for the Suffolk Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, responding to enquiries and signposting or escalating them as appropriate
• support clear and timely communication across the partnership and update information on the Partnership website
• assist with all administrative aspects of the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review process and Child Death Overview Panel
• support travel arrangements, finance and budget checks, room bookings, purchasing, recruitment processes and Case Review Panel/eCDOP system updates
• help maintain key documents, including the Annual Report and Strategic Business Plan
• support the Strategic Safeguarding Children Partnership Manager with diary coordination, bookings and calendar planning
• use initiative to manage competing priorities, resolve routine issues and identify ways to improve administrative processes.

You will need 

Our ideal candidate will have:

• a relevant Level 3 qualification, or an equivalent level of knowledge and experience, together with a good standard of literacy and numeracy
• experience of delivering effective administrative processes, including arranging meetings, preparing papers and taking accurate minutes
• strong organisational skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and meet deadlines in a busy environment
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence in working with colleagues, senior leaders and external partners
• the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and in line with information-governance requirements
• good digital skills, with the ability and willingness to learn specialist systems
• a proactive, flexible and positive approach, with the confidence to use initiative and solve problems
• a commitment to teamwork, continuous improvement, equality, diversity and inclusion, and to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
• previous experience of working in an environment where sensitive or emotionally challenging information was regularly shared i.e. administrative support of a professional team from Children’s services, Education, Health or Police. (Desirable) 

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.  

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 

The Suffolk Safeguarding Children Partnership brings together local agencies to safeguard children and promote their wellbeing. The Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Business Unit includes a Strategic Safeguarding Partnership Manager, a Quality Assurance and Training Lead and business support, and works alongside the Independent Scrutineer and senior leaders from partner agencies. You will be at the centre of this collaborative network, providing dependable support that helps the partnership turn plans and decisions into action.

We will offer you

You will receive a comprehensive induction, regular support and opportunities to develop your professional knowledge and skills. You will work alongside committed colleagues across the Suffolk Partnership, with the opportunity to build expertise in multi-agency administration, safeguarding governance and multi-agency working. This is a role where excellent organisation and attention to detail make a visible difference.

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 Jo Stroud, SSCP Strategic Partnership Manager, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 264171 or emailing jo.stroud@suffolksp.org.uk

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 (Word).  

1. Tell us about a time when you had to manage several competing priorities and deadlines. How did you organise your workload and ensure that important tasks were completed accurately and on time?
2. Describe a time when you handled sensitive or confidential information. How did you ensure the information was managed appropriately and confidentiality was maintained?
3. Tell us about a time when you worked with colleagues, senior managers or external organisations to achieve a shared outcome. How did you build effective working relationships and communicate with the different people
   involved?
4. Describe a time when you had to respond to an unexpected problem or enquiry using your own initiative. How did you decide what action to take and when to escalate the issue?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. 

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412.  You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. 

This role is being advertised as Senior Administrator for advertising purposes. If appointed, you will be employed as Business Support Coordinator.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 10 November 2026

Interview date: Tuesday 17 November

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

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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