Business Support Officer

Role overview

Core responsibilities

• Coordinate meetings, arrange rooms, prepare and distribute papers, take minutes or record decisions, and send follow-up paperwork.
• Triage referrals and enquiries; maintain case records, progress, actions, outcomes, databases, trackers and spreadsheets.
• Act as a contact for professionals, stakeholders and external agencies, and facilitate communications and follow-ups.
• Track support, resource allocation and funding with SEND finance; compile KPI and impact data.
• Provide administration for panels and service areas, handle routine issues, correspondence and calls, and escalate matters when needed.
• Assist with subject access requests, complaints and file retrieval; process invoices and raise quotes and purchase orders.
• Meet and greet visitors and provide reception cover on a rota.

Candidate requirements

• An administration or business support background is essential.
• Experience organising, collating and disseminating materials for multidisciplinary meetings is sought.
• Good keyboard skills, attention to detail and excellent Microsoft Office knowledge, including SharePoint and Teams, are needed.
• Accounting software knowledge, such as Xero or ApprovalMax, is advantageous; willingness to learn quickly is also acceptable.
• Minute-taking experience and good typing skills are preferred.
• The candidate should be organised, demonstrate strong customer care and be willing to support different business areas.

Workplace and schedule

• Part time: 22.2 hours per week (0.6 FTE), on a permanent contract.
• Hybrid and flexible working is offered; office attendance is required at least two days per week and for in-person panels or meetings as requested.
• The working pattern is to be confirmed to best support the primary role function.

Salary and benefits

• Salary is £16,471.05 per annum, pro rata from a full-time equivalent of £27,451.75.
• Benefits include a matched workplace pension, annual leave plus bank holidays, manager support and supervision, and staff wellbeing and development programmes.

Safeguarding and recruitment checks

• Employment is subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and two acceptable professional references.
• Checks also include proof of qualifications, right to work, address and five-year employment history, plus an occupational health assessment.
• Staff are expected to safeguard children and young people and follow relevant child protection procedures.

About Cognus