Business support

“Play an integral part in the success of the council”

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Business Support Supporting the council

From professional admin and Business Support Officers, to Executive PAs and Electoral Service Officers, we provide essential business support to every service area within Somerset County Council. And that’s Adults and Children’s Social Care, Education, Inclusion, Democratic Services, Libraries, Highways, Transport and Planning and many, many more.

But what do we mean by Business Support? You could say that we’re the service working behind the scenes. By keeping processes running, producing key documentation and maintaining records, we enable colleagues such as social workers, planners and directors to focus on vital frontline services. We’re big on togetherness, sharing the load and sharing success. And every single person who works in Business Support plays an integral part in the success, function and reputation of the council.

The importance of great support

With the introduction of new technologies, our work is less about taking away bureaucracy and more about adding value to support each business area. By being innovative in our approach and working cost-effectively, we help every area of the council to make the most of their experience and expertise and provide value for money for people across the county.

We provide the admin support they need to work smoothly and efficiently. We work on the service plans, we raise the purchase orders, we organise the meetings, we make sure that we have the resources and supplies needed. We plan ahead and react quickly. And that’s important. Somerset County Council, like any large authority, is a complex, ever-evolving organisation. Things can – and do – change at a moment’s notice. Business Support needs to be able to respond quickly.

So the pace is fast. Variety’s a given too. As well as the constantly changing environment, you’ll have the opportunity, if it’s something you want to do, to move around service areas to gain new experience. But wherever you’re working, whoever you’re working with, it’s incredibly rewarding to know that your work is helping to improve outcomes and improve lives in our communities.

Spotlight on... Commercial and Procurement

The Commercial and Procurement service provides just that; commercial and procurement support across the Council which directly impacts the residents of Somerset. The diversity of our work here at Somerset County Council means one day you could be involved finding a contractor to maintain the roads, the next procuring a place in a care home for an individual resident. All while ensuring an effective balance between cost and quality.

There are over 20 team members from Apprentices, to Senior Procurement Officers through to management roles. It’s rewarding and varied work and the team are encouraged to take an innovative approach whilst working within the legal rules.

Meet some of the team

Sharon Martin – Executive Personal Assistant

I was previously with Somerset County Council for four years, working as a Senior Business Support Assistant. I then left for relocation reasons and took up a role elsewhere. It just didn’t compare – at all. I returned to Somerset three months later in a temporary role and then took up the permanent job I’m in now two months after that. The smile is back on my face!

I don’t think that there’s anything quite so unique as working in Business Support with Somerset County Council – and I challenge anyone to find a role like it anywhere else! My job’s always interesting, always busy. The hours are flexible, and the benefits are really good. I work with a fantastic team too, and my line manager does everything possible to help me succeed in my role.

Meet some of the team

Katherine Hughes – Business Support Officer

When you work in Children’s Social Care, every day is an opportunity to make a family’s life better, a child’s future a little brighter, and a social worker’s job easier. Combine that with a cup of tea and a biscuit always being readily available, and you have somewhere it’s a joy to work.

My manager’s fantastic. She’s supportive, encouraging and will always make time for me if there’s something I need to talk about – and I make sure I do the same for my team. And as a society, we now accept that mental health is as important as physical health, and I believe that Somerset County Council understands this and practices what they preach.

The culture here is one of understanding, compassion, empathy and hard work. There are usually snacks and biscuits dotted around the office, and the canteen does a great bacon sandwich. We like to work, we like to eat, and we like to laugh!

Get in touch

We're always pleased to hear from talented people. So if you've got any questions about the opportunities that we have available in Business Support, or if there's anything else you'd like to know before you apply (or even during the application process), please get in touch with us.

Email the team

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"The council is full of supportive colleagues who encourage you to try your best. I really enjoyed building close working relationships with colleagues across the council. They’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and every colleague's skillset and background is valued."

"The council offer flexible working and really trust their colleagues to work from home. Management is supportive and avoids resorting to without micro-managing. There are opportunities to develop with managers keen to support your career progression."

"Supportive and inclusive employer. Working here is immensely rewarding, knowing you have helped so many people. The way SCC has dealt with the challenges presented by Covid, and the support it has given the community, makes me feel proud to be part of the organisation"

"Salaries aren't as high as private sector, but the great benefits package does make up for that. The council offer flexible working and lots of opportunity to build a long-term career in an ever changing government organisation. If you like the challenge of continuous change, this could be the place for you."

"If feel that my work for the council is hugely valuable. That I am supporting some incredibly important services. The organisation is forward-thinking in terms of ways of working, offering good technology and working-from-home benefits, all underpinned by an understanding management culture."

"The council is a good place to work if you want to work part time. You have access to ongoing learning. Management on the whole is good. Everyone works very hard, focused on doing something worthwhile and helping professionals, and keen to demonstrate that they are offering good value for money."

"Working for the council is challenging and stimulating. Social Care is difficult but rewarding when the quality of the service can be maintained. There is a genuine culture of reward for hard work. Social Care is a changing and evolving service, and the council has a dynamic reputation."

"Supportive work environment and colleagues. Over the last 12 years I have worked with a variety of brilliant teams, each time developing new skills and gaining experience. SCC has adapted well to remote working during the pandemic with staff wellbeing at the top of the agenda."