About us

Our Adults’ Social Care teams support people to live fulfilling lives, maintain their independence and access the right help at the right time.

Working collaboratively with local communities and partner organisations, you'll empower people to build on their strengths, stay connected, and receive personalised support that helps them live safely and independently for longer.

Whether in a residential home, day centre, hospital, or from the comfort of their own home, these are just some of the roles in which you could make a real difference to their lives every day:

• social worker
• occupational therapist
• assistant care manager
• support worker or night support worker
• day opportunity coordinator
• care and support broker
• commissioning and contract officer
• public health practitioner
• cook

Our Children, Young People and Learning teams work together to give every child the best possible start in life.

Through early help, education, safeguarding, and family support, you'll help children and young people stay safe, fulfil their potential, and achieve their goals.

Working closely with families, schools, and local partners, you'll play a vital role in creating brighter futures and making a positive difference every day. If you want to work with families to identify, intervene and plan support here are some example roles:

• social worker
• child and family worker
• residential childcare worker
• team manager
• family support keyworker
• hub support assistant
• educational psychologist
• teaching assistant
• best start inclusion practitioner
• catering assistant

 

Our Place Services teams help create safe, sustainable, and thriving communities across West Sussex. We deliver a wide range of services that shape the places where people live, work and visit.

Whether helping to keep roads, pavements, and public rights of way safe, improving transport choices, protecting the environment, or supporting economic growth, this service plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for local people.

We are committed to continuous improvement and providing the best possible service through the way we work, the partnerships we build and the resources we invest in. These are just some of the roles where you could join us:

• facilities officer
• highways steward
• project manager
• school crossing patrol
• car and minibus driver

Our Community Services teams work closely with residents, communities, and partner organisations, to connect people with information, support and opportunities that enrich their lives and strengthen local communities across West Sussex.

Whether supporting customers, preserving local heritage, promoting lifelong learning, or delivering vital registration services, the below are some of the roles that play an important part in enhancing the everyday lives of people across the county:

• library assistant
• customer service officer
• archivist
• registration officer
• community officer

Using expertise in finance, procurement, technology, business improvement, analytics, audit and contract management, our Finance and Support services enable the council to operate effectively, efficiently and sustainably and help ensure resources are used wisely, services provide value for money and the council can continue to meet the needs of residents now and in the future.

Through collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, you can help shape services that deliver lasting benefits in one of our many roles, including the below:

• finance officer
• financial analyst
• procurement officer
• contract manager
• data analyst
• it support analyst

Our Human Resources and Organisational Development teams help make West Sussex County Council a great place to work. Working across the council, they support the people, culture and leadership that enable us to deliver high-quality services to our communities.

From attracting and developing talented people to promoting health, wellbeing, inclusion and employee engagement, these teams play a vital role in helping our workforce thrive.

Roles in these teams contribute to a positive and sustainable working environment that helps the council achieve its ambitions for residents across West Sussex, here are just a few examples of them:

• hr business partner
• recruitment specialist
• learning and development officer
• apprenticeships assistant
• equality, diversity, and inclusion officer
• hr policy consultant
• health and safety officer
• reward consultant
• graphic designer

Our Law, Assurance and Insights teams help West Sussex County Council deliver trusted, accountable, and evidence-based services for residents across the county.

Providing expert advice, oversight, and intelligence, they support effective decision-making, strong governance, and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Their work helps ensure the council meets its legal, regulatory, and ethical responsibilities while delivering high-quality services that make a positive difference to local communities. Here are some of the roles:

• solicitor
• legal assistant
• governance officer
• data analyst
• performance and insight analyst
• data and information officer
• policy officer 

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Karla and I joined West Sussex County Council in January 2021 as a Business Administration Apprentice in Highways, Transport and Planning. To date I have been given ample opportunity to progress and develop my skill set.

Could you give us a timeline of your roles since joining the council, dates you started in those roles?

As I mentioned, I started in January 2021 as a Business Administration Apprentice in Planning Services in July 2021. I took on the role of Highways Programme Management Office Technician alongside my apprenticeship and then in December 2022, I progressed into my current role as Highways Programme Management Office Officer.

Please can you tell us a little about your apprenticeship journey? For example, what qualifications did you have when you started/worked towards?

I graduated with a law degree from the University of Brighton in 2006 and my skill set and qualifications had become dated and in need of refreshing. As a result of a knee injury and having been running my own successful cleaning business, I needed to pursue alternative work. I saw the Business Admin role advertised and thought it would be a really good opportunity to refresh my skill set and qualifications.

I completed my Business Admin apprenticeship in August 2022, obtaining a distinction, and am now registered to begin a Project Management degree in September 2023.

Could you tell us about training and development opportunities you’ve had? - including mentoring/coaching and managers support

I have been provided with ample opportunity in terms of being able to develop. I have completed Foundation P30, Mental Health First Aid training, Carbon Literacy training and Fundamental Project Management training. All of which have been really interesting and useful. There have been a number of courses that I have also been able to complete from the WSCC Learning and Development Portal.

What support have you been given by WSCC?

I have been assigned a ‘Buddy’ as well as a Mentor, which has been incredibly useful, as they were able to offer support in a number of areas, as well as fill gaps in experience and/or evidence in terms of being able to successfully complete my Business Administration apprenticeship.

What initially attracted you to West Sussex and what has made you stay?

I really liked the apprenticeship, particularly the opportunity to refresh my skills whilst also obtaining a qualification and practical experience, as well as earning a salary. The support available has been incredible and I can genuinely see how much I have flourished in a relatively short period of time. The work life balance side of things is also attractive and appealing, and the flexibility works for me as a busy working Mum.

What has been your favourite part of your journey so far?

Winning Local Government Apprentice of the Year 2021 has to be my most favourite so far, although there are a number. Being able to compete in the awards gave me the confidence boost that I desperately needed and has also highlighted to me my capabilities.

Where do you see yourself going next?

As I already mentioned, I am signed up to commence a Project Management degree in September 2023 and I really hope and envisage that this will lead to me managing a number of projects here at WSCC, as this is an area in which I would particularly like to build my skills and experience in.

If you could say something to anyone considering joining us, what would it be?

Go for it, you will never look back. You will be surrounded by a solid support network and will be provided with so many opportunities to learn and develop that you will undoubtedly have a very satisfying and rewarding career ahead.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m Rosa, I’m 26 years old. I am a Resourcing and Talent Acquisition Specialist within the Recruitment Team. I currently deliver and lead on recruitment for the Communities Directorate which includes, Libraries, Customer Experience, and Property and Assets to name a few! I have been working for West Sussex County Council since June 2019.

Why did you want to do a career taster/What did you want to achieve?

Before joining WSCC, I studied a BA (Hons) Education degree at University of Chichester. A requirement of my degree was two 3-week placements at a professional workplace. As well as using part of the career taster to complete assignments and part of my dissertation, I wanted to get exposure to working in a professional environment with a diverse range of people, which was something I had not had the opportunity to experience before.

What did you have to do to apply and get the career taster? For example, interview, application process

I went onto the West Sussex County Council website and there was a dedicated page to career tasters. I called the phone number listed and was passed onto a colleague. I had an informal conversation with the team where we identified what I wanted to get out of the career taster as well what they wanted from me. Overall, it was an easy experience and I felt supported and well informed.

What service was your career taster in, how long was it and what did you do?

In 2018, I worked alongside the Adult Education Business Team for three weeks. Part of my career taster was supporting with data collection and analysis for Adult Education across West Sussex focusing on the uptake of courses through the provider. I had the opportunity to attend meetings alongside colleagues and exposure of office life!

In 2019, I worked alongside the Learning and Development Team for three weeks. Part of this career taster was supporting with identifying improvements to update their website. I also had allocated time to collect data to support my dissertation ‘Why is it more crucial than ever to be digitally literate?’. I had the opportunity to meet and build relationships with a range of different colleagues across the HR and Organisational Development directorate. I also had the opportunity to attend a recruitment event.

What did you learn and achieve?

I learnt a lot. I built up the skills to network and negotiate with different type of people. It gave me an opportunity to explore career options outside of teaching, increased my independence and self-confidence.

Did the career taster meet your expectations, and did you get what you wanted out of it?

It exceeded my expectations - I went in expecting to be asked to support with mundane tasks that no one else wanted to do, but I felt welcomed and like part of the team. No two days were the same! I felt that the work I was doing made a real difference.

Testament to my first career taster experience, I came back to WSCC for another career taster opportunity and now four years on, I’m still here, now as a Resourcing and Talent Acquisition Specialist.

Was there something you particularly enjoyed about your career taster? For example, a moment that sticks out

Key moments that stick out are attending a recruitment event. This sparked my interest into wanting to explore recruitment further! And working on a report and having the opportunity to present that report to key stakeholders.

How were you supported by West Sussex?

I was given time and freedom to lead my career taster experience whilst being supported by those around me. I had a key contact within the team who was essentially a ‘line manager’ and they were always available with any questions I had.

Can you tell us a little about your journey since your career taster? Why did you choose to stay with West Sussex?

After my second career taster, I finished my degree and began job hunting for graduate opportunities with other employers. I saw an opportunity to join the recruitment team as a Resourcing Officer (now Recruitment Coordinator), which was an entry level role.

I joined WSCC in June 2019 on a 3-month agency contract as a Resourcing Officer. After five months in the role, an opportunity for a permanent Resourcing Officer (Recruitment Coordinator) was available. I went for the opportunity and was successful.

I spent the next year developing my skills and expertise with the support of colleagues as well utilising WSCC’s learning and development opportunities through training and went for a promotional 3-month opportunity as a Resourcing and Talent Acquisition Specialist. This gave me the confidence to go for a permanent promotional opportunity as a Resourcing and Talent Acquisition Specialist, which is the role I am in now.

Since my promotion, I have been involved in several projects including international recruitment, newly qualified social workers, and restructures within the business and contributing to continuous development of the team.

I have chosen to stay with WSCC because my team and management have invested in me, not only as a recruitment specialist but as an individual. I feel trusted to do my job. I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by a supportive and like-minded team! I feel a sense of freedom to push the boundaries of my role to strive to be better.

Would you recommend a career taster to others?

Yes! Yes! Yes! I am indebted to my career tasters experience. If you are thinking about wanting to get more experience or are thinking about a career change... a career taster offers a no commitment way to gain more insight and experience into a sector! My career taster experiences provided me with a foundation to start my career and a real-world experience in the workplace is second to none.

These career taster opportunities complete changed the changed the trajectory of the career I thought I wanted!

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Elaine and I’ve been working for West Sussex County Council for 24 years now. I joined in an Office Manager role originally, looking after a small team in the Highways Transport and Planning directorate.

I had a degree in Psychology which helps with people management and I applied to undertake a master's degree in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) after starting at West Sussex and was lucky enough to be accepted for this in a day release capacity. This has helped shape the role that I have today and areas of responsibility that I cover.

What inspired you to work in the Highways, Transport and Planning directorate?

The idea of obtaining a qualification in GIS seemed at the time to be a useful qualification in our department because GIS was emerging as a dynamic and useful tool to help in both Planning and Highways, but very little was known in our work area as to its capabilities.

Officers were only just starting to get computers on their desks at that time! We had a knowledge gap and mapping was an interest to me.

Why did you choose to work for West Sussex?

I liked the look of the role as an Office Manager, it suited the skills I’d obtained up to that point in my career elsewhere. Working for the local authority has always appealed to me having spent many years working in a more commercial environment.

The idea of making a positive change rather than simply being profit driven for the benefit of shareholders makes work much more rewarding.

Can you tell me a little about your career progression so far?

Having taken on the Office Manager role I was soon asked to manage a change in the software we were using. I’d embarked on my masters in GIS by then and, with the database management I was learning at university, it meant I was in a good place to manage a database change here.

Since then, other GIS projects have been added to my role and workloads with a heavy database element, although I’ve stayed within Highways, Transport and Planning for all that time and new areas of work have been bolted onto my role.

There’s been a couple of restructures in that time too which have increased the work that I manage.

Being in our department gives rise to a number of career paths that officers can choose to follow. Either as planners or transport planners, civil engineers and policy officers to name the main ones. There’s a broader range of skills needed within our department than people would initially expect.

What is the best thing about being a manager within Highways, Transport and Planning at West Sussex?

The variety in work that I manage, the professional and positive attitude from all the staff around me and particularly my own team and my management team and the opportunities for development and progression.

Giving my team over the years opportunities to develop and seeing their careers progress within and beyond the council in a variety of fields that they’ve chosen to follow.

What do you particularly enjoy about working in the Planning Services service?

I lead on a couple of countrywide initiatives and to see these develop is very rewarding. West Sussex are encouraging in terms of allowing you to pursue this type of role when the benefit is going to affect more than simply your own authority.

Within the service our staff are very hardworking, there is a lot of respect for each other and we all work well as a large team.

How does West Sussex, particularly Highways, Transport and Planning support you to develop and progress?

There is a lot of support from management. We’ve been running courses on management and leadership skills for example for all existing managers, which helps keep you up to date with new ideas and fresh in your approach.

As I’ve mentioned, I was able to obtain funding and day release for my master’s degree and senior management are always open to this type of development if there’s a business case and ability to provide that support. We’re running courses for aspiring leaders and women in management, which a couple of my own team have benefitted from.

Is there a particular case or something about your work here that makes you feel proud?

Running GIS for West Sussex has been challenging. Swapping a well-established piece of software, which was well understood by staff and was considered to provide the gold standard in capability and functionality, for different software, which was much reduced in this regard, was probably one of the more difficult tasks I’ve had.

Due to the way the existing software was set up, we didn’t entirely know who had licences and who was using it, what they were using it for and what the full amount of data that was kept in GIS (mapping) form.

If there is one myth you could bust about West Sussex County Council, what would it be?

That we don’t work hard. I’ve no idea where the idea that local government officers don’t work hard comes from. I hear it all the time in my life outside of work and am constantly justifying how hard we all work and how passionate we all are about doing a good job for our communities and the local people who live in West Sussex.

What would you say to somebody considering joining us?

As an employer, West Sussex County Council is flexible and approachable, you’ll feel valued and welcomed. If you work hard and do a good job, then there is career here for you and recognition of your contribution.

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi, I’m Lauren. I joined WSCC in November 2023 as a Business Administration Apprentice in the Road Safety team. I now work as a Contract Support Officer within Local Highway Operations (LHO), where I help manage and audit our highway maintenance patching programmes.

What inspired you to become a Contract Support Officer?

While working in Road Safety, I became really interested in highways and infrastructure. I was drawn to the legal responsibilities the council holds and the safety schemes being implemented.

That interest soon developed into a genuine passion and I knew I wanted to be more involved in the work that directly affects our highway network.

Can you tell us a little about your apprenticeship?

Earlier this year, I completed my Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with Chichester College, achieving a distinction. Through this, I gained skills in stakeholder and project management, legislation, regulation and key administrative duties.

During my apprenticeship, I secured a permanent role as a Contract Support Officer in Local Highway Operations, and I’m now in the process of starting a Level 6 Civil Engineering Apprenticeship with Portsmouth University this September.

Why did you choose to do your apprenticeship with West Sussex County Council?

I applied to West Sussex County Council because I wanted to learn new skills in a field that fascinated me, while also working for an organisation whose values I really align with.

What stood out was the opportunity to work across different teams and learn from experienced professionals. That variety made it much easier to find relevant experiences to support my studies and helped me grow both professionally and personally.

What is the best thing about doing an apprenticeship at West Sussex?

One of the best things is how well-supported apprentices are. On my first day, I was introduced to my buddy who regularly checked in with me and made me feel welcome. I was also paired with a mentor who had completed their apprenticeship a few years earlier and could offer guidance from a different perspective. That combination of peer and professional support really helped me throughout my journey.

Can you tell me a little about your career progression so far?

Joining West Sussex County Council was more of a career start than a change for me. I applied with the aim of discovering where my professional interests lay - and during my Business Admin apprenticeship, I realised I had a strong interest in highways and infrastructure.

After discussing my goals with my manager, they suggested a Level 6 Civil Engineering apprenticeship as a great next step. It became a formal part of my development plan and I received lots of support in pursuing it.

I was then appointed to my current role, where I’ve been able to take on more technical and analytical tasks. This role gives me exposure to the civil engineering world - working with contractors, attending site visits and being part of the planning process, even before I begin my formal studies.

What do you particularly enjoy about working in the Contract Support Team?

What I enjoy most is the variety and the chance to make a meaningful impact. A big part of my role involves data analysis and auditing, which allows me to identify improvements. Even small changes can make a big difference to the service we deliver. It’s those moments, where you can see the impact of your input, that make me proud of what I do.

How are you supported by West Sussex and your manager and team during your apprenticeship?

The support I’ve received has been incredible. I’ve always felt encouraged to take on learning opportunities and colleagues are always willing to help.

Having a buddy and mentor helped build my confidence early on and my managers were consistent and proactive in providing one-to-one support, progress reviews and addressing any concerns I raised.

Is there a particular case or something about your work here that makes you feel proud?

Honestly, the day-to-day work makes me proud. Being involved in the process of maintaining a safe highway network for the residents we serve is something I take seriously. I also support with customer enquiries and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the difference that resolving an issue can make to someone’s day.

What would you say are the challenges of being a Contract Support Officer?

A key challenge is understanding the full context of a job or situation and being able to offer well-informed suggestions. While I’ve learned a lot already, I know that completing my civil engineering degree will give me the technical knowledge I need to approach these challenges with more confidence and expertise.

If there is one myth you could bust about Contract Support Officers, what would it be?

That we just do admin! There’s so much more to the role - from analysing job data and resolving complex issues to working closely with contractors and making sure works are delivered on time and to a high standard.

My job is about ensuring compliance and supporting the Service Delivery Manager - it’s varied, dynamic and definitely more than just paperwork.

What would you say to somebody considering joining us?

Go for it! You’ll be joining an organisation where you’re supported, trusted and encouraged to grow. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your career in a new direction, West Sussex County Council is a great place to learn, develop and make a real difference.

Could you give us a timeline of your roles since joining the council and dates you started in those roles?

I started in September 2010, so about 12 years ago. In my time at WSCC I have had many roles and undertaken a number of different qualifications. I joined as an admin assistant in the Transport team. It was an apprenticeship, so whilst doing this role I worked towards a Level 2 NVQ in Business Administration. Once I’d completed my apprenticeship, I successfully applied for a Project Support Officer role and WSCC supported me whilst in this role to achieve a Level 3 NVQ in Business Administration.

As I was nearing the end of my apprenticeship, I successfully applied for the role of HR apprentice, which enabled me to obtain a Level 5 NVQ in HR. On completion of my Level 5, I successfully applied for a HR graduate trainee role and, whilst in this role, the organisation supported me to work towards a Level 7 NVQ in HR. Once I had finished my fourth apprenticeship, I moved to a HR advisor role and then after a year I successfully applied for the role of HR policy consultant.

I have had many great opportunities in my time at WSCC and the variety of experiences has enabled me to identify what areas I liked and had a passion for, and therefore the type of role I would like to do and the career I would like to have.

Undertaking my qualifications as an apprentice was fantastic as it enabled me to put in practice immediately what I was learning at college and university. I learnt so much from my more experienced colleagues and they were so supportive when it came to me writing assignments or preparing for exams.

What qualifications did you have and work towards?

I joined WSCC with GCSEs and whilst employed by WSCC worked towards qualifications up to and including the equivalent to a Post Graduate Degree.

Could you tell us about training and development opportunities you’ve had, including mentoring, coaching and managers support?

It would be impossible to share with you all the learning and development opportunities I have had, but the offer at WSCC is fantastic. I haven’t stopped learning or undertaking training from the time I arrived. There's always been an opportunity to learn something new and the great thing about this organisation is that everyone is so quick to share their knowledge and experience. Obviously, college and universities helped, but the bulk of my learning has been through hands on experience, doing the job and learning from my colleagues.

During my time at WSCC I have had five mentors and a coach. This was an amazing source of support and enabled me to progress within the organisation.

Has the learning and development portal been helpful during your time here?

Certainly! There are so many courses you can go on, I couldn’t list them all. Some that I’ve done include courses like, presentation skills, facilitation, influencing and persuading and project management. I must have done over a hundred in my time at WSCC.

What support have you been given by WSCC?

It really has been so supportive, I've just been given so much time and freedom to learn and develop and colleagues were incredibly patient with me. West Sussex has always supported me with time to study, prepare for exams and have purchased endless textbooks as required by college and university. I have been supported by everyone, not just my direct manager, everyone who has been involved with me has supported me.

What initially attracted you to West Sussex and what has made you stay?

Although I knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship, I had no idea in what! This led me to WSCC due to the size of the organisation and the diversity in the services they provide. At that time, I remember researching WSCC and being surprised about just how much the local authority does. It gave me the opportunity to do so many different things and I started to identify what I liked, and that is what influenced the roles I applied for and the qualifications I obtained.

The development and career opportunities I have had has made me stay. The longest I have been in a role is three years and I am continuously doing something new. The people have also played a huge part and I have had some great managers.

Things have changed for me personally from joining. I now have a young family and the family friendly policies and practices enable me to achieve a great work life balance.

What has been your favourite part of your journey so far?

I would say the people. It was great coming to work and sharing with my colleagues that I had passed an exam or completed a module. They genuinely cared and always checked in with how things were going or what I was covering at college and university.

Where do you see yourself going next?

I never really set a target or goal. When I joined, I never would have thought I would be doing this, so I just try and be the best I can in the role I am in. I enjoy what I do and I have plenty to learn and achieve within this role!

If you could say something to anyone considering joining us, what would it be?

Do it! Come and experience working with us and see what it is that we have to offer.