Business Administration (SEND Team) Apprentice

Bedford Borough Council are looking for an apprentice to support delivery of the day-to-day services of team by dealing with general administrative tasks carried out by the SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS and DISABILITY Team.

Please be aware that this position works to a pay structure:
£7.38 per hour (if aged over 21 years)
£5.90 per hour (if aged 18 – 20 years)
£4.20 per hour (if under 18 years but above the compulsory school age)
The salary for this role is advertised for the successful candidate being over 21 years old.

Duties of this position may include (but are not limited to):
• Carrying out general administration tasks.
• Handling and responding to general telephone queries from schools, parents and outside agencies, providing information and advice as appropriate.
• Passing on accurate verbal / written messages to other members of the team.
• Scanning and photocopying a variety of documents.
• Logging and dealing with incoming / outgoing post.
• Responding to emails and letters as appropriate.
• Ensuring filing and archiving is carried out accurately and in a timely manner.
• Attending meetings in order to take minutes and ensuring minutes are distributed after meetings.
• Booking rooms for meetings.
• Preparing paperwork for meetings and organising papers after meetings.
• Keeping accurate records.
• Updating spreadsheets and inputting new information.
• Inputting information and data into various Children’s Services systems accurately.
• Checking that information on database systems is correct and ensuring relevant staff members are aware if there is information missing.
• Assisting to update and develop web pages.
• Assisting with the organising and setting up of training events.
• Meeting and greeting service users.

The SEND Team is a very busy team dealing with children and young people who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities, and where no two days are the same. The post holder will be supported by a Senior SEND Support Officer within the team. The post holder will interact with a wide range of professionals including SENDCOs, Headteachers, Social Workers, and other departments within Children’s and Adults’ Services.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING TO BE PROVIDED: (What on-the-job training will be provided/ skills developed to enable the apprentice to carry out the role)

• The post holder will receive an agreed training and development programme and will be coached/mentored by a member of the SEND team.
• The post holder will develop a wide range of general administrative and customer service related skills by interacting with colleagues in schools, in Children’s Services and with other staff employed by the Council across a wide range of services.
• The post holder will gain knowledge of the services provided by Children’s Services within a Local Authority, and the legislation and policies that dictate practice and policy.

EMPLOYER DESCRIPTION: (Overview of the Council, and how the directorate/team fits into the organisation/key functions carried out by the directorate/team)

• Bedford Borough Council is a unitary authority that provides a wide range of services to the local community.
• Children’s Services provides various front line services and strategic based work in order to deliver services for children, young people, families and schools within Bedford Borough.
• The SEND Team monitors a variety of children who live in Bedford Borough with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in all types of schools within and outside of the Borough.


This position has a pay structure:
Wages
£7.38 per hour (if aged over 21 years)
£5.90 per hour (if aged 18 – 20 years)
£4.20 per hour (if under 18 years but above the compulsory school age)
The salary for this role is advertised for the successful candidate being over 21 years old.