- Suffolk County Council
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Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
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Salary: £25,185 per annum (pro rata for part time)
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Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
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Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment for 21 months
When you join the Care Market Hub as an Apprentice Commissioning and Contract Support Officer, we’ll support your development from the start. We’ll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you’re motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
This role sits within the Care Market Hub, a team that supports the work of the Commissioning and Contract Management Service. From setting up new care providers on our systems to supporting meetings and responding to queries from providers, social workers and contract managers, you’ll play a key role in keeping services running smoothly.
You’ll work closely with a range of teams across Adult Social Care, giving you a great opportunity to build your knowledge and understanding of this area.
Your day-to-day work will focus on keeping information accurate, organised and up to date, ensuring it is shared effectively with colleagues. You’ll:
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manage and maintain information systems to support the Contract Management team
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monitor shared inboxes and work queues, ensuring queries are handled promptly
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respond to emails, helping to resolve issues, answer questions and signpost where needed
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support the team by following processes and identifying opportunities to improve how we work
A typical day is varied, with a strong focus on organisation, communication and attention to detail.
The team works in the office at least two days a week (usually Mondays, plus alternating Tuesdays and Wednesdays), with flexibility to work from home on other days.
Your apprenticeship
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Level 3 in Business Administration
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21 Months
We welcome apprenticeship applications from all ages and backgrounds. There's no upper age limit - it's never too late to start developing new skills. We want to provide opportunities for anyone interested in launching or advancing their career.
The apprenticeship you're applying for must build on your qualifications. If you have experience in this field, the apprenticeship you're applying for must be at a higher level.
Read the Job and Person Profile and the Apprenticeship Recruitment Brochure. During the apprenticeship, you'll be working towards the role described in the Job and Person Profile. You will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training and pursue certification. Completing your apprenticeship does not guarantee a full-time position. However, we are dedicated to helping you find a job. You will have priority access when you apply for vacancies. This applies during the final 3 months of your contract.
You will need
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strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
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a positive, proactive attitude and a willingness to find solutions.
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confidence communicating by email and telephone.
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the ability to follow processes while also suggesting improvements.
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good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.
If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
The Care Market Hub is a small, supportive team made up of a manager and two Commissioning and Contract Officers. Despite its size, the team has a significant impact and works with a wide range of colleagues across Adult Social Care and the wider care market.
The team forms part of the Strategic Commissioning and Contract Management Service.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
Please contact Terri Osborn (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 265883 or emailing [email protected]
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).
1. What has motivated you to apply for this specific apprenticeship, and what interests you most about the work involved in the role?
2. Describe a time when you had to manage your time or organise your tasks to meet a deadline, for example with coursework, exams, projects or other commitments.
3. Learning on the job is a key part of an apprenticeship. Can you tell us about a time when you had to learn something new, how you approached it, and what helped you succeed?
4. This apprenticeship will involve working with people and communicating clearly. Can you give an example of how you have explained something, asked for help, or shared information effectively with others?
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at [email protected] or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 30 June 2026
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
