Court Advisor, Attendance in Birmingham

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated individual to join our Children and Families Directorate in Birmingham City Council as a Legal Intervention Coordinator on a secondment for an initial period of 6 months with a possible opportunity to extend the contract further.

In this role, you will provide support, training and regular dissemination of good practice to schools/agencies relating to attendance statutory action; you will review referrals from schools and other services where action under sections 443 or 444 of the Education Act 1996 may be required as a last resort to protect a child’s right to an education; and you will undertake legal proceedings in relation to LA statutory duties regarding school attendance.

If you have a strong background in school attendance, legal intervention or education support; a commitment to safeguarding; and excellent organisation skills, we want to hear from you!

As a Legal Intervention Coordinator, you will:

• Provide information, advice and guidance to school staff and other agencies on the recording and administration of legal procedures, ensuring they meet the requirements of evidence in prosecutions, visiting schools as necessary to support.
• Communicate with defendants following receipt of letters or telephone calls and respond appropriately.
• Attend court and act as an authorised officer on behalf of the local authority.
• Develop, maintain and review all systems relating to legal procedures, ensuring that requirements are met.
• Manage the issuing of Penalty Notices, and advise schools and other agencies with regard to the criteria for issuing of such Notices.
• Prepare and produce Section 9 Statements of Witness for school staff and other agencies in relation to non-attendance prosecutions.
• Plan and manage the delivery of legal documentation to defendants; including summonses and single justice procedure notices ensuring that time-scales and statutory requirements are adhered to.
• Prepare and provide the necessary documentation to legal services relating to trials.
• Supervise team members, including regular appraisal and supervision, adherence to BCC HR policies and development support.

We are looking for candidates with a high standard of education, with evidence of continued professional development. You should be able to demonstrate high level organisational skills, including experience and an ability to work within statutory timescales, offering advice and guidance in an effective and timely manner. You should have experience of extensive computerised systems and in particular word-processing packages, databases and spreadsheets and experience of producing statistical reports. You should have a proven ability to manage conflicting demands and to make appropriate decisions as well as working in partnership with other agencies. You should be able to work independently within clear guidelines but also have the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

In return, we offer a supportive and collaborative work environment where your contributions will be valued. You will have the opportunity to participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and professional development activities. We are committed to your growth and will provide training to enhance your knowledge of home education and safeguarding practices. By joining our team, you will be making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and their families in Birmingham.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.