Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

An opportunity has arisen for experienced Customer Support Co-Ordinator to join the Customer service team on part time and fixed term contract basis (12 months). This role is being offered on a hybrid basis which is a combination of working from home and attending the office. Customer Support Service provides a range of customer focused, administration and support services for internal customers, partners and suppliers of the Council.

As a customer support co-ordinator, you will be working as part of a team to deliver administrative and customer service support, to a wide range of teams, predominately the Adoption Team. You will administer the Adoption Panel, ensuring that all panels are quorate. Prepare and circulate panel agendas and reports in good time and provide appropriate information to prospective adopters and foster carers who are invited to attend Panel. You will be required to minute panel meetings and other professional meetings on behalf of Children's Services. You will be expected to co-ordinate paperwork and process payments on behalf of Children's Services.

You will be supporting our Fostering, Adoption and Plans and reviews team.

· Organising and attending Fostering and adoption panels and arranging and organising all pre and post administrative work for panel.

· Taking accurate child focussed minutes for child protection conferences

· Tracking and arranging DBS’s, medicals and other local authority checks for Foster Carers and potential adopters

· Supporting Foster carers by processing monthly mileage claims

To be successful in this role, you need to be able to demonstrate excellent organisational and communication skills, with good keyboard skills. A passion to exceed service expectations by being friendly, professional, collaborative, and responsive. The ability to move around the different hubs within the service You will also be able to build strong relationships both internally and externally.

It is vital that you have clear verbal, electronic, and written skills of communication as you will be liaising with variety of stakeholders across different levels and also have the ability to multi task and manage conflicting priorities. It is essential that you have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to make judgements unaided and to work pro-actively.

When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave in a full-time contract , flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

If you would like a copy the Job Description, please click here

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.