APPRENTICE BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER

SOUTHWATER PARISH COUNCIL

SOUTHWATER (RH13 9LA)

Closes in 18 days (Monday 23 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 5 February 2026

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Summary

Join Southwater Parish Council as an Apprentice Business Support Officer, working towards a Level 3 Business Administrator qualification while gaining hands on experience in customer service, bookings, finance and office support in a Gold Award local council, with potential to progress into a permanent role.

Wage

£21,500 a year

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Salary of £21,500 rising to £24,500 per annum (FTE) after 12-months into the post, subject to and evidence of good performance, progress on the apprenticeship, and successful completion of ILCA.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Contracted to work 37 hours per week, Monday to Thursday (8:30 am to 4:30 pm) and Friday (8:30 am to 4:00 pm), including a minimum of 6 hours per week of off the job apprenticeship training during paid working time.

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 April 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Act as first point of contact at Beeson House, greeting visitors and handling phone and email enquiries
  • Support day to day office administration, including filing, scanning and managing electronic records
  • Help prepare, format and collate agendas, reports and papers for council and committee meetings
  • Upload approved minutes, policies and other documents to the council website and keep key information up to date
  • Assist with logging and tracking resident enquiries, complaints, Freedom of Information and subject access requests
  • Help administer room and space bookings at Beeson House, including responding to enquiries and maintaining the bookings diary
  • Issue standard hire agreements, record returns and help ensure rooms are set up and ready for hirers
  • Support basic finance administration, for example providing booking information for invoices, recording payments and simple data entry
  • Provide administrative support for community events and engagement activities, such as booking lists and attendance records
  • Attend regular off the job training and complete tasks and assignments for the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship

Where you'll work

BEESON HOUSE
26 LINTOT SQUARE
FAIRBANK ROAD
SOUTHWATER
RH13 9LA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CITY SKILLS LIMITED

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

Off the job training will be delivered by City Skills Limited (UKPRN: 10065422) via a weekly day release model. The apprentice will normally attend training one day per week online, depending on the provider’s timetable.

On the job training will take place at Southwater Parish Council’s offices at Beeson House, Southwater. The apprentice will be supported by their line manager and colleagues, with regular one to one meetings, mentoring and job shadowing. Training will be planned to ensure the apprentice receives at least 20 percent off the job training time across the programme.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Mathematics (grade 4)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 5 or higher)
  • Mathematics (grade 5 or higher)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative

About this employer

Southwater Parish Council is a proactive local authority serving the growing community of Southwater in West Sussex. We look after a range of local services and facilities, including community buildings, open spaces, play areas and support for local community groups and events.

We have a small, friendly office team based at Beeson House in Lintot Square. The team supports elected councillors, organises council and committee meetings, manages enquiries from residents and partners, and ensures the Council meets its legal and financial responsibilities. Southwater Parish Council holds the Gold Award under the Local Council Award Scheme, reflecting our commitment to high standards, good governance and staff development.

http://www.southwater-pc.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Southwater Parish Council supports its employees by encouraging their professional development and offering 24 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays. 

After this apprenticeship

This is a fixed term apprenticeship position for the duration of the apprenticeship. The Council’s working assumption is that, subject to satisfactory performance, funding and business need, the role will convert to a permanent Business Support Officer position on completion of the apprenticeship. Any such confirmation would be made nearer the end of the apprenticeship and cannot be absolutely guaranteed. From there CILCA qualification could be studied and completed presenting opportunities to more senior roles.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CITY SKILLS LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013184.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Monday 23 February 2026 at 11:59pm)