Address
Form of work
SalaryDescription
The starting salary for this role is £45,680 per annum, working 36 hours per week.
This is a 12-month fixed term contract/ secondment opportunity.
Do you have a passion for communications and a desire to help children, young people and families? This is an important role that supports the planning, implementation and evaluation of communications to key audiences in relation to additional needs and disabilities in the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning (CFLL) directorate.
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 role
Sitting within the Communications Team, with a dotted line into the Children's Additional Needs and Disabilities Service, you will play a key role in the production of high-quality and strategic communications to key stakeholders and partners, including:
Sitting within the Communications Team, with a dotted line into the Children's Additional Needs and Disabilities Service, you will play a key role in the production of high-quality and strategic communications to key stakeholders and partners, including:
- Working with strategy leaders and the CFLL communications team to plan a strategic calendar of key communications opportunities and milestones
- Drafting and sharing regular updates to parents/carers, schools and settings, partners and other key audiences related to the Additional Needs and Disabilities Strategy and related workstreams, including a termly newsletter
- Demonstrate the service improvement journey to key stakeholders and residents through regular and informative updates and case studies
- Working closely with the CFLL communications team to share key updates via corporate communication channels
- Offer strategic communications advice on internal communications within the AND service, and across CFLL to ensure professionals are informed about processes, news and transformation progress, progress is celebrated, and individuals understand their role in delivering the AND strategy objectives
- Generate engagement on the core communications channels for children's additional needs and disabilities: the Local Offer website and social media
- Responding to media enquiries quickly, compassionately and honestly, with support from CFLL Communications Managers
We are looking for an experienced and proactive individual, who will help us make a positive impact, in keeping families and professionals up to date on progress against our Additional Needs and Disabilities strategy, and ensuring families are aware of available support. Find out more about the strategy here.
You will be working within a wider multi-disciplined communications team, with lots of opportunity for development. Every day is different in this team. We look out for each other, socialise and enjoy flexible working, so you'll always feel supported and part of a communications family.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be shortlisted to interview for this position your application will need to clearly evidence:
- An ability to work across both internal and external communications and identify and adapt content and messaging for sharing on appropriate channels
- Leadership, partnership working and influencing skills
- Flexibility to adapt writing styles and techniques to suit different audiences
- A sound understanding of good communications practices in relation to accessibility
- Experience working with, and collating information from, colleagues across multiple teams to produce clear communications content
Please note, the contractual location for this role is currently Quadrant Court, however it is our intention to move within the local area to Victoria Gate in Central Woking later this year.
Contact details
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 Abbey Cortazzi by email at Abbey.Cortazzi@surreycc.gov.uk.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 14th July 2024 with interviews to follow.
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.
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.
