Alternative Learning Team Business Support in Keynsham

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Are you an organised, proactive and confident administrator who wants to make a meaningful difference for children and young people? Bath & North East Somerset Council is looking for an Alternative Learning Team Business Support colleague to provide high-quality, efficient and effective support to a busy education service that helps ensure pupils can access suitable education when they are unable to attend school for reasons such as exclusion, illness or other circumstances.

About the Team: The Alternative Learning Team sits within Education and supports Bath & North East Somerset Council’s statutory responsibilities relating to alternative provision, exclusions and children who may not otherwise receive suitable education. The team works closely with schools, families, internal colleagues and external providers to help ensure that arrangements are in place for pupils accessing commissioned alternative provision, Education Otherwise Than At School packages and support under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996. The team also supports the Single Point of Access Panel process, quality assurance activity for alternative provision and the effective recording, monitoring and reporting of information across a range of systems.

About the Role: This is an important business support role that will help the Alternative Learning Team to deliver a responsive, accurate and professional service. You will provide complex administrative and coordination support, act as a key point of contact for enquiries, support the management of referrals and contribute to the smooth running of team processes. Key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the Alternative Learning Team Manager with statutory duties linked to alternative provision, exclusions and pupils who require suitable education outside of school.
• Receiving and managing Single Point of Access Panel referrals, ensuring relevant information is gathered from schools and other services.
• Preparing, summarising and sharing panel agendas, and communicating referral outcomes clearly and professionally.
• Maintaining effective communication with schools, families, colleagues and external partners.
• Monitoring attendance for pupils accessing commissioned alternative provision across primary and secondary phases.
• Supporting administrative activity linked to quality assurance, EOTAS and Section 19 packages.
• Developing and maintaining accurate information recording systems, including LiquidLogic, EYES and other relevant management information systems.
• Collating data and preparing reports for the Alternative Learning Team Manager.

About You: We are looking for someone who can work with accuracy, sensitivity and confidence in a busy service area. You will be able to manage competing priorities, communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and use your initiative to support efficient service delivery. You will need:

• An A level qualification or equivalent, or relevant experience.
• Successful experience in education, education welfare services or a similar area of work.
• Experience of providing business support and working with a range of partners and stakeholders.
• Strong ICT skills, including practical knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• The ability to manage data accurately, maintain records and prepare clear reports.
• Good communication skills and the ability to resolve enquiries in a professional and timely way.
• The ability to plan, prioritise and respond flexibly to service needs.
• A commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding, inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people.

About Bath and North East Somerset Council: Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council? We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples lives. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW. The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.