Sufficiency and Sustainability Officer
| Posting date: | 25 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £32,597 to £35,412 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 March 2026 |
| Location: | Lincoln, Lincolnshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Lincolnshire County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 1221/2313 |
Summary
A vacancy has arisen that provides an opportunity to join the Early Years Sufficiency Team at Lincolnshire County Council during a period of significant, government‑funded growth in the childcare sector.
Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements of RQF Level 6
About the Role
As part of a small team, you will help ensure the sustainability and sufficiency of childcare across Lincolnshire, to meet the needs of children and families. This includes providing business sustainability advice to childcare providers, supporting the development of affordable and accessible provision, managing grant funding applications, and assessing childcare capacity to ensure there are enough high‑quality places for local families.
You will support childcare providers to access and occupy various premises, including schools and local authority provision, advising on rent and affordability considerations while working collaboratively with school place planning and corporate property teams.
This role will also work closely with the Early Years Entitlement Team to support strong take‑up of funded entitlements and ensure provision is available for all families.
About You
Previous childcare experience is desirable but not essential. We are looking for someone with property and estates experience, strong data‑analysis skills, sound business acumen that can be applied to the childcare sector, and a willingness to learn and contribute as part of a team of experts.
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the future of early years services and make a meaningful impact on children, families, and communities across the county.
About Our Offer
Along with a competitive salary we are offering:
A Contributory pension
Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
Flexible working policies
Career progression opportunities
A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more
Further details about the benefits of working for Lincolnshire County Council are available here: Rewards and benefits – Lincolnshire County Council
If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role, then please contact; Samantha Waite via email Samantha.Waite@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Applications close on 18th March 2026 and interviews will be held week beginning 30th March 2026
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.
Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements of RQF Level 6
About the Role
As part of a small team, you will help ensure the sustainability and sufficiency of childcare across Lincolnshire, to meet the needs of children and families. This includes providing business sustainability advice to childcare providers, supporting the development of affordable and accessible provision, managing grant funding applications, and assessing childcare capacity to ensure there are enough high‑quality places for local families.
You will support childcare providers to access and occupy various premises, including schools and local authority provision, advising on rent and affordability considerations while working collaboratively with school place planning and corporate property teams.
This role will also work closely with the Early Years Entitlement Team to support strong take‑up of funded entitlements and ensure provision is available for all families.
About You
Previous childcare experience is desirable but not essential. We are looking for someone with property and estates experience, strong data‑analysis skills, sound business acumen that can be applied to the childcare sector, and a willingness to learn and contribute as part of a team of experts.
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the future of early years services and make a meaningful impact on children, families, and communities across the county.
About Our Offer
Along with a competitive salary we are offering:
A Contributory pension
Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
Flexible working policies
Career progression opportunities
A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more
Further details about the benefits of working for Lincolnshire County Council are available here: Rewards and benefits – Lincolnshire County Council
If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role, then please contact; Samantha Waite via email Samantha.Waite@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Applications close on 18th March 2026 and interviews will be held week beginning 30th March 2026
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.