Inclusion Officers X 2

Job Title:Inclusion Officers x 2
Location:Stevenage/remote working
Starting Salary: £35,745 progressing to £39,186 pa
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Permanent

Diversity: We are an inclusive employer and value a diverse workforce

Job Duties:
Do you enjoy working in a high demand, fast paced, dynamic service and have a passion for education, working with schools and supporting vulnerable children and families? An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Inclusion Officer within Integrated services for Learning.

The Inclusion Team is looking for 2 Inclusion Officers to ensure the Local Authority’s responsibility for:

• Securing mainstream school places for those pupils who meet the threshold for the Hertfordshire Fair Access Protocol (FAP).
• Ensuring and advising on the Local Authority’s statutory responsibilities in all matters relating to school exclusion.

This is a fast paced, demanding role. Resilience and the ability to multi-task are essential.

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/ESCs and other specialist services to secure support packages
• Offering advice and guidance to Head Teachers, parent(s)/carer(s) and school governors.

You will need to have an A level education and/or have significant relevant experience of working in a similar field.

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, DfE exclusion guidance.

• Experience of successful liaison with senior school staff including Head Teachers.
• Experience of effective and successful working in multi-agency settings and seeking solutions including the chairing of multi-agency meetings.
• Ability to work autonomously, establish credibility and prioritise conflicting demands.
• Ability to manage and to motivate performance.
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the needs and the factors that influence disaffection and school exclusion.
• Experience in the use of MS Word packages.

Whilst highly demanding the role is rewarding and will allow you to contribute to Hertfordshire’s Plan for Children and Young People (2021-26) by improving outcomes for the families, young people and children of Hertfordshire.
Closing Date: 25/02/2024
Interview Date: 06/03/2024

Benefits of working for us:
• Flexible Working Arrangements (depending on the role)
• Excellent Career Development
• Salary Exchange for Additional Benefits
• Excellent Pension Scheme with Employer Contributions
• Shopping Discounts
• Support Groups & Wellbeing Schemes

Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employerand guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

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).

Safeguarding: Safeguarding children and adults is of utmost importance to Hertfordshire County Council. The Council requires employees to abide by legislation and best practice to enable Hertfordshire to achieve this. This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving Roles Only: As part of this role, you will be required to travel to other HCC Sites/Residences either using your own mode of transport or a company car. In light of this, the ability to drive and/or travel around the County is required for this role a DVLA check will be required on appointment.

How to Apply

As part of the application, you will be required to upload your most recent CV ensuring gaps in employment have been addressed and asked to answer the 4 key questions which are located at the end of the advert and a template can be found in the 'Available Documents'.

1. Tell us about your recent successful experience of working with vulnerable children including those with a history of poor emotional wellbeing and evidence of advocating on behalf of any child who is not receiving their statutory education entitlement?

2. What is yourexperience of effective and successful working in a multi-agency/multi-disciplinary setting in seeking solutions for service users?

3. How have you prioritised conflicting demands to meet the needs of service users, service delivery to schools when seeking to ensure statutory duties and performance indicators?

4. Tell us about your experience of collaborating with schools and other settings in an influential capacity.

If you do not provide answers to the questions and upload to your application, your application will be rejected.