Job Information
Bereavement Service Support Apprentice
Please note: Successful applicants must be available for interview week commencing 14th July. These posts will commence in September 2025.
This apprenticeship will last for a duration of 24 months. The training is delivered by Northumberland Skills and you will be required to attend training at Morpeth Leisure Centre, NE61 1SR.
What the candidate will be doing on a day-to-day basis
The successful candidate will be working closely with the Business Support staff, in the Bereavement services team in Local Services.
This role involves supporting the effective operation of bereavement and local services through a wide range of administrative, financial, and supervisory tasks. Key responsibilities include maintaining burial and cremation records, processing service requests, and managing financial systems, invoices, and payments. The role also supports record-keeping, while providing guidance to families during bereavement. It includes liaising with external partners, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, supporting project planning and civil emergencies, and maintaining high standards of accuracy, confidentiality, and customer service.
Background on department
The Bereavement Services team supports the Bereavement Services operational team and liaises with funeral directors. There are 22 cemeteries and church yards that the team maintains and 1 crematorium, based in Blyth.
Type of person we are looking for
We are looking for an enthusiastic, polite and someone wanting to deliver excellent customer service, individual who is eager to learn and expand their knowledge and skills through hands-on experience.
The successful candidate must have an eye for detail and a commitment to see the task through to completion. Every service arrangement must be exactly as the family has requested. We only get one chance to get this right for the family.
Location
We have an operational depot, based in Blyth Cemetery, Cowpen Road, Blyth
Salary
National Apprenticeship Framework
Contract Type
Fixed Term for duration of apprenticeship training, plus 6 months for End Point Assessment.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB
Maths and English GCSE (or Equivalent) at Grade 4/C or above
Why choose us?
We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:
- 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands
- Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, flexible working, term-time only, and compressed hours
- A range of salary sacrifice schemes are available
- Staff networks - run by staff, for staff, providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support, staff development e.g. Apprenticeship, Armed Forces, ASD, Enable (disability), LGBT+, Menopause, Mental Wellbeing, Racial Equality
Further information
For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.
Alternative application format:
British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930
Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.
