Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Team Secretary

The closing date is 14 October 2025

Job summary

We are seeking a compassionate and organised Team Secretary to join our administrative and reception team supporting the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Community and Urgent Care teams.

This is a key role within a dynamic and supportive environment, where you will be the first point of contact for young people and their families accessing mental health services.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent administrative, interpersonal, and customer service skills, with a welcoming and professional manner. Hours are negotiable, with flexibility to work either four full days or school hours across five days, but availability on Mondays and Thursdays is essential.

Why Join Us?

You'll be part of a caring and professional team dedicated to supporting children and young people in Somerset. This role offers a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families accessing mental health support.

Main duties of the job

As Team Secretary, you will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the CAMHS Community and Urgent Care teams. Your responsibilities will include:

Administrative Support: Typing reports and correspondence (including audio typing), filing, diary management, and maintaining efficient office systems.

Reception Duties: Welcoming visitors, managing telephone enquiries, and providing a calm and professional front-of-house presence.

Data Management: Inputting and maintaining patient data using Trust systems, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.

Communication: Liaising with team managers, clinicians, service users, carers, and external agencies to facilitate effective service delivery.

Finance & Resources: Handling petty cash transactions, ordering stationery and supplies, and supporting budgetary compliance.

Team Collaboration: Supporting junior colleagues, participating in supervision, and contributing to team meetings and service improvement initiatives.

Health & Safety: Acting as a Fire Warden, conducting safety checks, and supporting emergency procedures.

Safeguarding & Governance: Promoting child protection, adhering to Trust policies, and participating in clinical governance activities.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

02 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3257

Job locations

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Provide comprehensive secretarial and reception support to CAMHS teams.
  • Act as the first point of contact for service users, families, and external agencies.
  • Manage incoming and outgoing communications, including post, email, and telephone calls.
  • Maintain accurate records of referrals, appointments, attendances, and discharges.
  • Organise meetings, room bookings, and ensure necessary materials are prepared.
  • Support financial processes including petty cash handling and ordering supplies.
  • Assist with building maintenance coordination and fire safety checks.
  • Contribute to service development and uphold Trust policies and safeguarding standards.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Provide comprehensive secretarial and reception support to CAMHS teams.
  • Act as the first point of contact for service users, families, and external agencies.
  • Manage incoming and outgoing communications, including post, email, and telephone calls.
  • Maintain accurate records of referrals, appointments, attendances, and discharges.
  • Organise meetings, room bookings, and ensure necessary materials are prepared.
  • Support financial processes including petty cash handling and ordering supplies.
  • Assist with building maintenance coordination and fire safety checks.
  • Contribute to service development and uphold Trust policies and safeguarding standards.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ 2 or 3 in Business Administration OR equivalent typing qualification OR experience in a similar role

Experience

Essential

  • Previous administrative experience.
  • Experience of setting up and maintaining office systems and procedures that support smooth running of the department.

Desirable

  • Experience of contact with users of mental health services.
  • Experience of working in children and Young People's Services.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic.
  • Listens to others' views respecting and
  • valuing individual patient needs.
  • Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ 2 or 3 in Business Administration OR equivalent typing qualification OR experience in a similar role

Experience

Essential

  • Previous administrative experience.
  • Experience of setting up and maintaining office systems and procedures that support smooth running of the department.

Desirable

  • Experience of contact with users of mental health services.
  • Experience of working in children and Young People's Services.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic.
  • Listens to others' views respecting and
  • valuing individual patient needs.
  • Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Rebecca Coram

rebecca.coram@somersetft.nhs.uk

01823368368

Details

Date posted

02 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3257

Job locations

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ


Supporting documents

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