Suffolk County Council – Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX - Hybrid £24,404 per annum (pro rata) 18.5 hours per week - Flexible working options available Fixed Term or Secondment – 12 months As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we’re driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That’s why, when you join us as a Free School Meals Advisor, you’ll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career. Reimagine the possibilities. Your role and responsibilities As the Free School Meals Advisor, you will play a key role in the busy School Admissions Team. You will have a positive approach to delivering a high standard of customer service to families, schools and other services to support the school admissions and free school meals processes, offering accurate advice by telephone, email and letter. Day to day tasks may include: Processing free school meals applications and providing outcomes to parents and schools. Providing a high standard of customer service with parents and schools in writing and by telephone. Maintaining accurate records and data. Providing accurate advice and signposting families to other sources of information and support. Completing regular audits to validate continued free school meals eligibility You will need Suitable Level 2 qualification in English and Maths or equivalent experience or evidence of skills. Good working knowledge of Microsoft packages for business use. Good Excel skills. Ability to use accurate keyboard skills for data entry. Ability to use data to produce reports. Ability to learn new IT packages or systems including web-based systems. Understanding of need to work appropriately with confidential and sensitive information. Good telephone manner and ability to communicate effectively You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). 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 School Admissions Team is responsible for ensuring that the local authority meets their statutory duties in terms of admissions and free school meals. This includes processing applications for free school meals and maintaining accurate data by carrying out regular audits to validate continued entitlement, communicating with parents and schools by telephone and in writing Our team is friendly, supportive, and close-knit. We practice hybrid working, which involves a balanced mix of working from home and the office. 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 Lucy Nicholas (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 264486 or emailing lucy.nicholassuffolk.gov.uk If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application. How to apply Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx). 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. Describe a situation where you had to deal with someone in financial hardship. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome? Can you give an example of a problem you encountered at work and the steps you took to resolve it? What was the outcome? Can you describe a time when you had to ensure the accuracy of data or information? How did you go about it, and what was the outcome? We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or recruitmentsuffolk.gov.uk Closing date: 11.30pm, 21 April 2025 Interview date: 29 April 2025 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) .