Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Business Support Assistant

The closing date is 02 December 2025

Job summary

Are you an organised, proactive and detail-oriented individual looking to make a meaningful contribution to healthcare improvement? We're seeking a Business Support Assistant to join our Clinical Improvement and Transformation Team, supporting the delivery of the three South West Regional Learning and Improvement Networks (LINs).

This is a fixed-term role until the 31st March 2027 to support a time-limited programme. The role offers a hybrid working pattern with at least 2 days in the office. There will be an expectation to travel across the South West region, as required.

Main duties of the job

  • Acting as the key point of contact for enquiries and communications across the LINs.
  • Providing efficient administrative support including diary management, meeting coordination, minute-taking and correspondence.
  • Supporting event planning and logistics, including travel and accommodation arrangements.
  • Handling sensitive information and maintaining secure, well-organised filing systems.
  • Assisting with data collection, reporting and basic analysis to support decision-making.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a collaborative and supportive team working to improve health outcomes across the South West. The post is hosted and managed by Somerset Foundation Trust, however, you will be embedded and working within the regional Clinical Improvement & Transformation team is part of the South West Medical Directorate within NHS England. You'll play a vital role in enabling the smooth running of regional improvement networks, contributing to meaningful change in the NHS.

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

19 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

184-OL-PU-3716

Job locations

County Hall

The Crescent

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 4DY


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to NVQ 4 level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant secretarial/administrative experience.
  • Significant experience of initiating and maintaining office systems (e.g. filing systems).
  • Experience of drafting correspondence.
  • Demonstrable experience in dealing with the public and managing sensitive and confidential information.
  • Previously worked in similar position within a healthcare or public sector environment.
  • Demonstrable experience of minute taking and producing reports.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a distributed team based in a number of locations.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Good working knowledge of administrative processes and procedures.
  • Intermediate knowledge of IT systems and software programmes such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Excel and SharePoint.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to NVQ 4 level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant secretarial/administrative experience.
  • Significant experience of initiating and maintaining office systems (e.g. filing systems).
  • Experience of drafting correspondence.
  • Demonstrable experience in dealing with the public and managing sensitive and confidential information.
  • Previously worked in similar position within a healthcare or public sector environment.
  • Demonstrable experience of minute taking and producing reports.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a distributed team based in a number of locations.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Good working knowledge of administrative processes and procedures.
  • Intermediate knowledge of IT systems and software programmes such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Excel and SharePoint.

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

County Hall

The Crescent

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 4DY


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

County Hall

The Crescent

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 4DY


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operations Manager

Carly Sharpe

carly.sharpe@somersetft.nhs.uk

07973436810

Details

Date posted

19 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

184-OL-PU-3716

Job locations

County Hall

The Crescent

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 4DY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)