A bit about us
We are looking for an Education Safeguarding Officer to join our dedicated and hardworking Education Safeguarding Service on a full time, term time only (39 week) permanent contract.
The Education Safeguarding Service are part of a multi- agency approach working with schools and families to ensure every child of statutory school age in Somerset accesses their full educational entitlement. This includes children with special educational needs and disabilities. Our work includes monitoring and challenging where necessary to secure regular attendance at school. We also undertake work around Elective Home Education. The range of work our service undertakes, supports all children to be safe and to achieve to their full potential. The Education Safeguarding Service also have responsibility to investigate children missing from education and provide a licensing service for children in entertainment and chaperones.
Here’s what you can expect to be doing
You would be part of a busy team of Education Safeguarding Officers, Education Safeguarding Assistants and Traveller Education Liaison Officers. The role includes holding a caseload, advising and supporting schools in a locality and working with parents and students to resolve issues around accessing education. Using specialist knowledge, you will build, maintain and develop good working relationships with attendance leads, Head Teachers and other services/professionals concerned with the welfare and education of children.
As part of this role you will convene and chair meetings with parent/carers, pupils and schools and lead criminal investigations using our statutory powers. Where appropriate you will prepare, on behalf of the Local Authority, prosecution cases in relation to non-school attendance. In addition, you will consider and use, appropriate statutory functions to ensure that all children and young people are able to reach their full academic potential.
A few things about you
You will need to be flexible in your approach and possess the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the Service. Having a positive, can-do attitude is a necessity. You should be committed to the safeguarding of children and young people. Experience of working in other public services would give you the background, knowledge and understanding to engage and deliver the high standards required in this role.
Additional information
If you are interested in finding out more before applying, please get in touch with Kate Kift, Team Manager, on 07977 401307 or email KZKift@somerset.gov.uk
Due to COVID-19 all interviews will be taking place virtually, for example using Microsoft Teams.
Interview Date – Tues 27th Oct
Why choose Somerset County Council
We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset. We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:
• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more.
Candidate pack: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/temp/SCC01467%20AB%20-%20Education%20Safeguarding%20Officer%20-%20Candidate%20Pack.pdf
DBS information
This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.
