At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families by managing school exclusions and securing placements.
- Company: Join Hertfordshire's Children's Services team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, extensive training, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a rewarding role that directly impacts young people's lives.
- Qualifications: A-level education or significant experience in schools/families required.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on collaboration and resilience.
The predicted salary is between 38220 - 41771 £ per year.
Starting Salary: £38,220 progressing to £41,771 pa pro rata
Hours: 18.5 per week
Location: Stevenage, with travel across Hertfordshire
Contract Type: Fixed Term to September 2026
Directorate: Childrens Services
About The Team
Do you enjoy working in a high demand, fast paced yet dynamic service and have a tenacity and passion for supporting vulnerable children and families? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Statutory School Exclusion Officer within the Statutory School Exclusion Team, which is part of the Education, Provision and Access service. Whilst the role is highly demanding, it is also very rewarding and will allow you to contribute to Hertfordshire's Plan for Children and Young People by improving outcomes for the families, young people and children of Hertfordshire.
About The Role
The Statutory School Exclusion Officer will ensure the Local Authority meets its responsibility for securing mainstream school places for those pupils who meet the threshold for the Hertfordshire Fair Access Protocol (FAP), and provide advice on all matters relating to school exclusion. Key day-to-day tasks include:
- Liaising with Head Teachers and senior school staff in seeking alternatives to permanent exclusion and in securing school places.
- Negotiating and liaising with schools, Education Support Centres and other specialist services to secure support packages for pupils.
- Providing advice and guidance to Head Teachers, parents, carers and school governors.
- Chairing regular face to face inclusion panel meetings at specified location.
- Attending meetings with Schools and other professionals / and parents/carers.
About You
The following skills and experience are essential for this role:
- Educated to A level and/or have significant experience of working with schools/families.
- In depth knowledge and understanding of the needs and the factors that influence disaffection and school exclusion.
- Experience of working with stakeholders at different levels, including networking, collaborating and negotiation skills.
- Experience of working in a multi-agency setting.
- Experience of chairing meetings including seeking successful resolutions.
- Ability to work autonomously, multi-task and prioritise conflicting demands.
- High levels of resilience and determination.
- Excellent IT skills.
- UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work.
Desirable: Knowledge of the School Admissions Code, the Managed Move Protocol, Fair Access Protocol and working with vulnerable groups is highly desirable, as is in depth knowledge of relevant legislation and DfE exclusion guidance.
The successful candidate will be provided with an extensive induction programme which includes work shadowing and observation. There is wide catalogue of training available. If you have the tenacity and drive to seek solutions and improve outcomes for Hertfordshire's young people, we would welcome an application from you.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
This job role is within the Community Services, level COM10 job profile.
To hear more about this opportunity please contact for an informal discussion about the role.
Interview Date: in person in Stevenage 29th October
Benefits of working for us
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert/job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Secondment
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.
Additional information
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving Required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).
Statutory School Exclusion Officer employer: Hertfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Statutory School Exclusion Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work with schools or in children's services. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in school exclusions and the Fair Access Protocol. Show us you’re passionate about making a difference in Hertfordshire's education system!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Role-play scenarios where you might need to liaise with head teachers or parents. This will help you feel more confident when it comes to real-life discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Statutory School Exclusion Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is up to date and tailored to the Statutory School Exclusion Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially any work with schools or vulnerable groups, so we can see how you fit the bill.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t just list your qualifications—give us examples of how you've demonstrated the skills mentioned in the job description. We want to know how you've tackled challenges and made a difference!
Craft a Compelling Covering Paragraph: Use the short covering paragraph to give us a snapshot of who you are. Share your passion for supporting children and families, and let us know why you're excited about this opportunity with us at StudySmarter.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into the mix for this rewarding role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Hertfordshire Fair Access Protocol and any relevant legislation. Understanding the ins and outs of school exclusions and the needs of vulnerable children will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully liaised with schools, parents, or other stakeholders. Highlight your negotiation skills and any multi-agency work you've done to demonstrate your ability to handle the demands of this role.
✨Practice Your Panel Skills
Since you'll be chairing inclusion panel meetings, it’s a good idea to practice how you would lead such discussions. Think about how you can facilitate conversations and seek resolutions effectively, as this will be key in your role.
✨Be Ready for Real Scenarios
Expect situational questions during the interview. Prepare to discuss how you would approach specific cases of school exclusion or disaffection. This will help the interviewers see your problem-solving skills in action.