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The West Sussex County Council Education and Skills department delivers the County Council’s statutory and strategic duties in relation to education through working in partnership with other council services, school leaders, sponsors, Trusts and Diocesan leads.

The Fair Access team work within the wider SEND and Inclusion team, carrying out all statutory and strategic functions relating to children and young people who have been excluded from school, are at risk of exclusion, or have a health need which prevents them from attending school. Additionally, the team are responsible for managing the West Sussex Fair Access Protocol (FAP), and the placement of any pupils who meet FAP criteria.

Salary: NJC Grade 8 £28,371 to £31,099 (pro rata to term-time only)
Working Pattern: 18.5 hours per week (Term Time only - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
Contract Length: Permanent
Location: Bridge House, Durrington

• DBS Check is a requirement of this post

You will be working in the Fair Access Team which is where the responsibility for the implementation of the Fair Access Protocol in West Sussex sits. The protocol addresses the admission of specific students to schools and alternative provision. The team also ensures the County Council’s functions relating to exclusion from school are delivered and supports work with stakeholders and independent providers to ensure that West Sussex has a full range of alternative educational provision available to best support its learners

This post will undertake the County Council’s responsibilities on exclusions, including representing the County Council at Governor Disciplinary Committee meetings. You will have contrasting functions, such as the preparation of statistical data on trends and patterns in school exclusions and the ability to respond sensitively to complex child-centred casework. You will need to establish and maintain relationships and influence across the organisation, within a political environment. You will be accountable for ensuring the County Council adheres to its statutory requirements by ensuring senior schools’ staff and governing bodies comply with the statutory guidance on exclusion from school and the Fair Access Protocol under the School Admissions Code.

Key Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in order to effectively exchange complicated or sensitive information.
• Excellent verbal communication skills including the ability to effectively participate in more appeal hearings.
• Comprehensive research skills, ability to interpret information and to use this to draft letters, reports and documents with guidance, as needed.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work to deadlines.
• Skills in providing instruction, advice and on the job training in order to effectively support colleagues.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to have a flexible and adaptable approach to working to varied tasks and subject areas.

Qualifications and experience:

• Degree level, or equivalent, qualification or equivalent level of significant experience which demonstrates that level of applied knowledge in researching, analysing and evaluating arguments and information.
• Relevant qualification or equivalent experience demonstrating good working knowledge of IT systems / procedures.
• Relevant theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of systems, policies and practices associated with operating the service.
• An understanding of fair access, alternative provision or school exclusion.
• Demonstrable experience of working, applying specialist knowledge and providing advice in a fair access, alternative provision, school exclusion or similar Local Authority process.
• Evidence of a high level of understanding of the school / education system.
• Experience of preparing detailed information in order to produce specialist reports for analysis.
• Experience of competently handling a full caseload of varying subjects without supervision and providing robust and professional advice.

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity you will receive:

• A competitive salary
• A generous pension scheme
• Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring
• Flexible working
• A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers with the opportunity to save over £1,000 (Including: Argos, Samsung, Asos, B&Q and many more)
• Free access to employee assistance programmes
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
• A range of commuting and business travel discounts and initiatives

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.

The reference number for this role is CAFHE04296.

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Sara Hughes, Fair Access Manager at [email protected] for issues or queries regarding your application please contact [email protected].

• To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and cover letter. In your cover letter outline your motivations for applying and explain how you meet the key skills listed in full and the experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced SWE Registration, DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.Being able to drive a car is essential due to it being a countywide service and children we care for potentially being placed out of county.

West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.

For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme, this can be found on our application help page.

Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you!