Finance and Administration Coordinator, Children's Social Care

About The Role

The Finance and Administration Coordinator, Children's Social Care (known internally as a Resource Co-ordinator) plays a vital role within the Children and Families service at Essex County Council. This position supports the provision of statutory services, resources, and maintains crucial financial oversight and scrutiny.

This is a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment opportunity for a period of 18 months, based in Chelmsford. The role is classed as an 'anywhere worker' but requires an initial commitment of 4 days per week in the office for the first few months, transitioning to 2 days per week in the office thereafter, with the remaining time allowing for remote working. Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Essex County Council has received its second consecutive Outstanding Ofsted rating, reflecting its commitment to practice and workforce investment.

The Opportunity

This role is central to ensuring financial accuracy, oversight, and operational efficiency across children’s care and education packages. As a Finance and Administration Coordinator, Children's Social Care, you will manage complex financial workflows, maintain detailed registers, and support strategic financial planning. You will provide up-to-date financial information to senior leaders and contribute to monthly forecast outturns through accurate recording, monitoring, and reconciliation of support packages agreed at various panels and forums.

The postholder will contribute to thematic and high-cost panels, complete Individual Placement Agreements (IPAs), and support the development of financial governance across the service. This includes ensuring compliance with funding agreements, identifying trends, and enabling informed decision-making.

This position demands a high level of autonomy, analytical thinking, and collaboration with social work colleagues, education colleagues, finance teams, and external providers. Strong attention to detail, the ability to self-manage, and a commitment to meeting deadlines are essential.

Accountabilities

• Ensuring accurate minute taking of critical financial decisions made in forms, panels, and by senior leaders.
• Providing financial oversight of support packages under discussion as an active member of quadrant panels and forums.
• Recording, reconciling, and implementing financial decisions made in or outside of panels/forums, including setting up/amending placement agreements, direct payments, and creating purchase orders.
• Providing robust analysis and forecasting on current and future spend to various stakeholders, including Executive and Local Directors.
• Timely reporting and reconciliation of financial expenditure, following up on queries as necessary.
• Contributing to strategic financial reviews and reconciliation exercises.
• Supporting the development and implementation of digital tools and dashboards to improve financial visibility and efficiency.
• Working collaboratively with the wider Children and Families function and finance team to ensure budget compliance and maximise commissioning opportunities.
• Actively ensuring packages of support for children and families are correctly in place and reviewed, collaborating with social workers, education, and health colleagues.
• Serving as a point of contact for financial queries from various internal and external services.
• Working collaboratively with other Resource Coordinators to ensure consistency, support, and countywide service cover.
• Maintaining knowledge of legislative and policy funding guidance applicable within settings and cases.
• Monitoring direct payment accounts to ensure unused surplus funds are returned to ECC.
• Preparing and formalising Individual Pupil Agreements (IPAs) signed by all parties.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Ability to interpret financial data to identify patterns, risks, or anomalies, and respond with timely, customer-focused solutions.
• Experience of recording and monitoring financial information within databases to support operational decision-making.
• Understanding of how financial decisions impact broader service delivery and long-term planning.
• Strong communication skills with proven ability to translate complex information/data clearly.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail, with the ability to compile and analyse data to produce clear, accurate, and meaningful reports.
• Skilled in managing sensitive financial conversations and resolving disputes diplomatically.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities and ad-hoc requests while maintaining core responsibilities.
• Educated to Level 3 or equivalent by experience, with extensive knowledge of working with different systems and processes within a business environment.
• Willingness to engage in training (e.g., financial literacy, systems) and adapt to evolving service needs.
• Proven track record of building working relationships with partner organisations and external agencies.
• Knowledge of legislative and policy funding guidance.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office (specifically Microsoft Excel) is essential, as is the ability to learn new systems.
• Strong written, minute taking, and time management skills to ensure accurate and prompt recording of decisions.
• Ability to develop tools focused on results, supporting behaviour and forging strong links with individuals and teams.
• Able to exercise sound judgment and initiative to independently solve problems and deliver effective solutions with minimal supervision.
• Highly self-motivated, with the ability to meet strict deadlines while consistently maintaining a high level of accuracy.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex County Council offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, the council is committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, Essex County Council ensures everyone matters in 'Everyone's Essex'. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, it is an ideal place to develop your career and contribute to the local community.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to interviewing all disabled applicants, veterans, and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the job. Employees enjoy many great benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements. The council values integrity and ethical behaviour, expecting adherence to its code of conduct and the Nolan principles. Employment may require a DBS check and registration with the DBS update service, which is an annual subscription.

The council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, expecting all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Key skills/competency

• Financial Oversight
• Data Analysis
• Budget Management
• Compliance Management
• Stakeholder Collaboration
• Report Generation
• Minute Taking
• Microsoft Excel Proficiency
• Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail