Service Support Officer

Are you ready for the next step in your career? If so, apply now! If you have strong organisational, communication and project support skills, enjoy working across services and partnerships, and are passionate about supporting work that improves outcomes for children and young people, this could be the role for you. As a Service Support Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the Education Division within Children’s Services. The Education Division is responsible for the council’s strategy to improve educational outcomes for children and young people across East Sussex, particularly those who are vulnerable to underachievement. Working closely with Heads of Service and the wider leadership team, you will develop, manage and coordinate guidance, policy and procedure instructions across the division. You will provide specialist administrative support, help improve systems and processes, and contribute to projects that support organisational effectiveness and service improvement. You will also act as a key point of contact for a wide range of enquiries from elected members, council officers, governors, school staff, parents and members of the public, coordinating responses as appropriate. The role includes supporting responses to Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Local Government Ombudsman and similar requests, ensuring these are completed accurately and within statutory timescales. This is a varied role where you will help prepare for inspections, support consultation activity, produce clear guidance and information for different audiences, contribute to communications and engagement activity, and oversee the planning of departmental events and conferences. You will also manage a team of administrative staff, supporting their development, performance and wellbeing. This is an excellent opportunity to use your skills in administration, communication, project coordination and people management to support services that make a real difference for children, young people and families across East Sussex. This is a 12 month fixed term post. Existing ESCC employees may apply for a secondment opportunity with permission from their line manager. Please review the Secondment Policy ( Secondments and Acting Up arrangements | ESCC Intranet ) for more information. We are looking for candidates who: RQF level 3 qualification in a relevant field such as project management, education and training, teaching and learning or customer service Ability to use IT systems and managing accurate records Able to work independently, prioritise effectively and manage competing demands Experienced in working across partnerships, including leading or facilitating meetings Knowledgeable in SEND legislation and committed to equality, diversity and inclusion To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. Your supporting statement is the most important part of your application as it will be used in the shortlisting process to determine if you will be invited to attend an interview so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests. For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI . Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information. Interviews are scheduled for 01 October 2026 and will be held in person at County Hall, Lewes. We will be unable to provide an alternative date due to time constraints. Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details. Inclusion We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are working towards a workforce that reflects the communities we serve because we recognise the value of different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Why Join Us? You will be joining a committed and collaborative Education Division that works to improve outcomes for all children and young people across East Sussex—particularly those most vulnerable to underachievement. This role offers the opportunity to: Work closely with school leaders and system partners across the county Contribute to meaningful projects that impact education outcomes Develop your skills in project management, partnership working and strategic support Be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team A commitment to a model of reflective practice based on regular supervision to support all employees in their professional development. A continued professional development (CPD) programme to ensure your personal and professional skills and knowledge are enhanced and developed to support the performance of the service. A fellow team of motivated and committed professionals, and a supportive wider management team. You’ll also benefit from a comprehensive induction, ongoing professional development, and access to a wide range of employee benefits. We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page. For an informal discussion about this opportunity, contact Katie Ridgway, Head of Education: Inclusion and Partnerships, Katie.Ridgway@eastsussex.gov.uk For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!