Attendance Compliance Officer – Education Supervision Order Facilitator in Chelmsford

Fixed Term, Full Time £33,915 to £39,900 Per Annum

Location: Countywide

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: Wednesday 1st July

There are multiple vacancies available for this role. These vacancies are available as fixed term contracts or secondment opportunities for up to 18 months.

The Role

This role will sit within the existing Attendance Compliance Team and will have a specific focus on intensive, well‑documented family support work with a firm focus on removing barriers to regular school attendance. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the statutory framework underpinning the local authority’s role in school attendance concerns and the role that Education Supervision Orders (ESOs) may play in the local authority’s response. The role is introduced to provide much‑needed individual family support to facilitate improved school attendance and, where appropriate, use local authority powers to apply for ESOs via the Family Courts.

Candidates should have experience in a statutory role focused on building relationships with children, young people, families, schools and key partners. These relationships will help identify causes of pupil absence and enable the development and coordination of action plans that remove identified barriers and bring lasting improvements to attendance and engagement.

The Opportunity

This role ensures the local authority fully utilizes its statutory powers regarding unauthorised pupil absence, with a key focus on Education Supervision Orders. The council believes every child should have access to educational opportunities that enable a healthy and fulfilled life. For some children and families, barriers hinder engagement; this role identifies such barriers and creates plans to remove them and restore regular engagement with education.

As an experienced professional with significant knowledge of the education system and attendance policies, you will negotiate with schools, families and partners to secure a right course of action that protects children’s right to an education. You will build trust with families, provide clear directions, and aim for positive attendance and engagement outcomes.

Accountabilities

• Utilise specialist skills, knowledge and experience to meet statutory responsibilities for children failing to attend school regularly, ensuring all external and internal responsibilities and deadlines are met.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to key stakeholders and families to ensure the educational needs of vulnerable children and young people are met.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to achieve the best overall outcome for vulnerable children within Essex, prioritising school attendance.
• Capture all interactions rigorously in a format that will stand up to court scrutiny in cases leading to court action.
• Use a solution‑focused approach to develop clear plans that include robust directions for all parties involved in improving a pupil’s attendance patterns—setting deadlines for action and progressing all cases in a timely manner and within expected time frames.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure cases progress effectively toward desired outcomes.
• Challenge schools and families where pupils are prevented from accessing education, highlighting obstacles and instigating plans to overcome barriers.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including equality and anti‑discrimination legislation, and follow robust processes for managing concerns and complaints.
• Define specific individual and shared targets and objectives annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject area or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in the relevant professional area.
• Evidence of ability to interpret information and data to achieve positive outcomes and improve standards.
• Significant experience within an education environment evidencing expert knowledge of ensuring families understand the importance of school attendance and the consequences of irregular attendance.
• Experience managing own workload, including considerable experience of change management in a complex environment.
• Experience delivering public services in a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment.
• Strong communication skills, an empathetic approach to stakeholders, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to hold key partners accountable.

Benefits

The role offers flexible working options and support for unpaid carers.

Travel and Mobility

Travel within an operational area; a driving licence and access to a vehicle are required, or the ability to meet mobility requirements through other means.

DBS

A DBS check is required; you will be responsible for registering with and maintaining the DBS update service subscription.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. The council is a Disability Confident Leader, commits to interview all disabled applicants, veterans and care leavers who meet minimum requirements.