At a Glance
- Tasks: Support education settings and families to improve student engagement and attendance.
- Company: Join Southampton City Council, a supportive and inclusive local authority.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holidays, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in education support or related fields is a plus.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 37279 - 40778 £ per year.
Accountable to Assistant Team Manager for Education Support / Senior Education Support Officer.
Purpose of Job:
Inclusion is at the heart of our service delivery, aiming to improve the social mobility of all, including under-represented groups and economically disadvantaged communities. The Education Support Officer will manage and deliver statutory duties on behalf of the local authority, ensuring effective consultative work with education settings, children, and families.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver operational policy and provide guidance to education settings, children, and families.
- Assist the Senior Education Support Officer in the day-to-day management and development of functions related to this service area.
- Support the delivery of various policies and processes, including school attendance support, suspensions, exclusions, reintegration, and identification and support of children with medical needs.
- Complete targeting support meetings to identify barriers to educational engagement and develop action plans.
- Compose and compile accurate and evidence-based reports for Court (Magistrates or Family Proceedings Court).
- Represent SCC at both Family Proceedings Court and Magistrates.
- Engage education settings, children, young people, and their families/carers to improve attendance, reduce suspensions and permanent exclusions, and support pupils with medical conditions.
- Maintain accurate records of case information and decisions.
- Undertake casework with schools, families, and other agencies/services to support pupils who are excluded or at risk of permanent exclusion.
- Deputise for the Senior Education Support Officer as needed.
The work is varied and challenging, and there is a strong team approach ensuring good support for the successful applicant.
What we can offer you:
Salary: The salary band for this role is £37,279 to £40,778. The starting salary is £37,279 with annual progression through the salary bands.
Here at SCC we have a range of different perks and benefits, a few examples can be found below:
- Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution.
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service.
- Flexible working options (role-dependent).
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents.
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks.
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.
For further information on our benefits package please visit Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk).
Contact details for informal discussion:
For further information and details regarding the role, please contact Kerica Hunt kerical.hunt@southampton.gov.uk or Stephanie Brazier stephanie.brazier@southampton.gov.uk.
Recruitment contact details:
Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk
Tel: 023 8083 4033.
For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council.
Education Support Officer in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Contact Detail:
Southampton City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Support Officer in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those who work with local authorities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in education support. Knowing your stuff will show you're passionate and committed to improving social mobility for all.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Education Support Officer and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Support Officer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Education Support Officer. We want to see how you can contribute to improving social mobility and supporting under-represented groups.
Showcase Your Experience: When writing your application, be sure to include specific examples of your past work that relate to the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We love seeing evidence-based reports or casework you've handled!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your points are easy to understand. This will help us see your qualifications quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of the Education Support Officer role. Familiarise yourself with policies around school attendance, suspensions, and support for children with medical needs. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Show Your Passion for Inclusion
Since inclusion is at the heart of the service delivery, be prepared to discuss your views on social mobility and how you can contribute to improving it. Share any relevant experiences where you've worked with under-represented groups or economically disadvantaged communities.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about how you would handle situations like a child facing exclusion or a family struggling with school attendance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Ask about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.