At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people in accessing education and overcoming barriers.
- Company: Join Derby City Council, a collaborative organisation dedicated to community support.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while shaping Derby's future.
- Qualifications: Experience in education, health, or social care with strong interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 42123 - 46579 £ per year.
Salary: Grade J, £42,123 - £46,579
Location: The Council House/Hybrid
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed term, 18 months
DBS Requirement: Yes
Closing Date: 27/09/2026
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to have the right school place at the right time? Have you been working in education, health or social care? A unique opportunity has arisen to support children and young people to access full-time education offers and any transitional arrangements. This role is to make a difference to children and young people with barriers to education due to vulnerabilities or additional needs; a chance to access mainstream education with support, with your help.
The postholder will be operating within the In-Year Fair Access Protocol to sustain our transition placements under the management of the Senior In-Year Fair Access and Exclusions Officers. The role is for collaborative working across the local area, with colleagues from health, social care, education and the voluntary sector; the postholder will have a diverse network and great delivery and interpersonal skills in supporting access to education and maintaining school placements.
Applicants must have successful experience of working effectively with a range of stakeholders. We are particularly interested in hearing from those with experience in:
- Children and Young People
- Universal services across education, health and social care
- Collaborative Working
At Derby City Council, we're proud to deliver over 250 essential services that support our residents, communities and businesses. Guided by our vision to create an Inclusive, Green, Growing and Vibrant City, we put people at the heart of everything we do.
Our values shape how we work every day. We believe in Great People, One Team, we're Bold in embracing change, Strong in delivering for our communities, and We Care about making a positive difference. Join us and you'll be part of an ambitious, collaborative organisation where you can develop your career while helping to shape Derby's future.
At Derby City Council, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference while building a rewarding career in an organisation that values, supports and invests in its people.
Alongside the opportunity to help shape the future of Derby, you'll benefit from a comprehensive range of employee benefits, including:
- Financial Benefits
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) - a secure, defined benefit pension with life cover
- Team Derby Rewards - discounts across a wide range of retail, leisure and lifestyle brands
- Tusker Car Benefit Scheme - a salary sacrifice scheme for leasing a brand-new, fully maintained and insured vehicle
- Work-Life Balance
- Generous annual leave, starting at 27 days and rising to 32 days after five years' service (plus bank holidays, depending on your contract)
- The option to purchase additional annual leave
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements for many roles
- Flexible retirement options, where eligible
- Support for colleagues with caring responsibilities
- Learning and Development
- Learning and development opportunities, with regular career conversations to support your growth
- Leadership and management development programmes, mentoring and professional qualifications
- Modern workspaces designed to support collaboration, productivity and wellbeing
- Health and Wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing support and a year-round wellbeing calendar
- Free annual flu vaccinations
- Cycle2Work Scheme and free cycle training
- Community and Inclusion
- Up to 15 hours of volunteering leave each year
- Recognition through initiatives including the Here for Derby Awards and Long Service Awards
- The opportunity to join one of our Employee Networks, including LGBTQ+, Disabled Employees and Carers, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Employees, and Neurodiversity
Some benefits are dependent on your role, contract or length of service.
At Derby City Council, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we serve. As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role can choose to apply through our Guaranteed Interview Scheme. We are also proud to hold the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, recognising our commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families. Members of the Armed Forces community, veterans and their close family members who meet the essential criteria are also eligible for our Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including during your application, interview or onboarding, we'll work with you to provide the support you need.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or need assistance with your application, please contact the Recruitment Team on 01332 640844 (Relay UK: 18001 01332 640844) or email recruitmentteam@derby.gov.uk.
In-Year Fair Access and Exclusions Officer - Inclusion and School Attendance x 2 employer: DERBY CITY COUNCIL
Derby City Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a significant impact on the community. With generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to equality and inclusion, employees are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance. The council also offers extensive learning and development opportunities, ensuring that every team member can grow their career in a collaborative and ambitious environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land In-Year Fair Access and Exclusions Officer - Inclusion and School Attendance x 2
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at DERBY CITY COUNCIL.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from DERBY CITY COUNCIL!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like DERBY CITY COUNCIL, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at DERBY CITY COUNCIL or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace In-Year Fair Access and Exclusions Officer - Inclusion and School Attendance x 2
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to DERBY CITY COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to DERBY CITY COUNCIL! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DERBY CITY COUNCIL
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
