Commissioning Support Officer

Description

This role has a starting salary of £31,262 per annum based on a 36-hour working week. 

We are excited to be hiring two new Early Years Commissioning Support Officers to join our fantastic Early Years Commissioning team. The team is based in Woking, but the role is hybrid offering a mixture of visits to community events, home working, and office days at sites across Surrey.

It is an exciting time for childcare and early education with the biggest ever expansion of funded childcare starting from April 2024, and with that comes challenges and opportunities. The team works collaboratively with providers, schools, communities, and partners to support the sufficiency and sustainability of the early education and childcare sector in Surrey.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

The Early Years Commissioning Team provide business advice to our local early years providers to enable them to offer the best quality childcare and education to the County's youngest children, whilst remaining financially sustainable. We also have a focus on market management of the childcare sector in Surrey to secure sufficient, good quality early education and childcare places for families; with a particular focus on children that need extra support, such as those with additional needs, disabilities or those experiencing barriers to learning. Put simply, our over-arching aim is to improve outcomes for all children and their families.

About the Role 

A typical day for an Early Years Commissioning Support Officer will involve managing our team inbox and forwarding queries to officers covering that area of the county. The types of queries can include providers looking for support in opening a new nursery in the area – you might have to signpost them to where they can find relevant information on our web pages and link them in with your colleagues covering their area to follow up. 

You'll also hear from parents who would like support and will need to have some understanding of funded early education and where parents can find more information on what they are entitled to.

You might also spend time collating data about availability of childcare places which colleagues can then use to support parents who are looking for a place. You'll be contacting providers to discuss their occupancy, using maps to see where provision is located, and keeping up to date records of your findings using spreadsheets and documents.

You may also be needed to support at community events alongside other team members – this would include liaising with colleagues to find out what is needed, preparing resources, printing, and supporting at the event by signposting to information or bringing queries back for further follow up. You'll keep up to date records and support the team with administration, organisation, and arranging meetings and office bookings.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Experience in Early Years or another similar relevant field
• Good organisational skills and IT skills (word, Outlook, Excel, MS Teams)
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including strong communication skills in using diplomacy and discretion
• A full driving licence and a vehicle you are able and willing to use to travel around the county
• Some knowledge and understanding of Early Years Funded Early Education Entitlements and Statutory Guidance, including Safeguarding responsibilities.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Olivia Barton by e-mail at olivia.barton@surreycc.gov.uk.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 13th February 2024 with interviews planned for week commencing 26th February 2024.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council. 

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where: 

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form 

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.

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