Overview
Business Support Assistant – Essex County Council
Fixed Term, Part Time role based in Harlow. Working style: Anywhere worker. Closing date: 14 September 2025. Part time hours: 18.5 per week. Pro-rata salary: £12,541 per annum. This is a fixed term contract/secondment until 28 February 2026 with a mix of remote and office-based work. Attendance at Goodman House, Harlow is expected approximately 1 day per month, with potential to attend other ECC offices as required during the contract.
About the Role
This role provides high-quality administrative support to frontline SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) services. You will predominantly coordinate and contribute to statutory processes related to children and young people with SEND, supporting the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process within the 20-week statutory framework.
What will you be doing?
* Log incoming requests and maintain tracking systems for EHCP applications.
* Correspond with families and schools, supporting development of new plans and managing changes for transfers and annual reviews.
* Log requests for EHC needs assessments and ensure timely, accurate records creation.
* Act as first point of contact for parents/carers, schools, settings and partner agencies; signpost to relevant teams and respond to queries where possible.
* Ensure data accuracy and adherence to timescales; escalate issues to SEND Operations Lead as needed.
* Issue draft plans to families and respond to change requests; escalate to SEND Operations Co-ordinator as required.
* Process consultations for school places and issue correspondence to schools, including final plans.
* Assist SEND Ops staff with amendments for key stage transitions; manage team inboxes and calls; perform other general admin tasks as they arise.
* Specific individual and shared targets are defined annually within the performance management framework.
About You
* Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE) including maths and English or an equivalent qualification or demonstrable experience.
* Evidence of ability to develop skills and knowledge in the role.
* Competence in MS Office applications and their practical use; ability to use computerised systems with speed and accuracy.
* Experience managing electronic or hard copy filing systems.
* Clear, audience-appropriate communication; ability to handle sensitive information.
* Willingness to adopt improved ways of working and respond to change; take ownership and ensure accuracy.
* Minuting/transcribing meetings may be required.
Benefits
* Healthy work-life balance
* Wide range of learning and development opportunities
* IT and home-working equipment supplied
* 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy extra
* Generous Local Government pension scheme
* Access to Essex Rewards discounts and health and wellbeing support
* Volunteering leave (up to 4 days per year)
Why Essex?
Essex County Council offers a dynamic public service environment serving over 1.8 million residents. We are committed to transformational change, flexible working options, and supporting career development. ECC is Disability Confident and supports reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process; we also welcome veterans and care leavers.
How to apply
Start your journey within the Business Support team by clicking APPLY. For more information, contact work.placements@essex.gov.uk. If DBS checks are required for your role, you will need to register with the DBS update service (annual subscription).
Additional Information
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. To stay updated on opportunities, join The Essex Talent Community and follow us on our social channels. Downloads include Pay and Reward, Our Ways of Working, About Us, and Organisation Behaviours.
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