Senior Governor Support Officer - Req24620

Job title:Senior Governor Support Officer

Salary: £34,834 - £36,648 per annum              

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Technorth, Chapel Allerton Leeds, with some hybrid working

As a Senior Governor Support Officer  you’ll thrive on supporting local authority governing bodies and academy trusts through the changing education landscape. 

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Senior Governor Support Officer  you will bring to the role experience of:

• Producing high quality communications and/or guidance documents 
• Offering appropriate advice and information to a range of stakeholders
• Experience of delivering training.

Experience in the education sector or school governance would be an advantage but is not essential, more important is the enthusiasm and commitment to learn and succeed in a new sector. Training will be provided to the successful candidate.   

About the role 

As our next Senior Governor Support Officer you’ll be involved in training a diverse range of delegates, supporting and developing a team of home based clerks, keeping up to date with governance and legislation changes and producing a range of communication to provide advice to others. The role does involve some evening working and you will be required to clerk some governing board meetings.

The role is integral to the Governor Support Service. We are a well-established team supporting and improving governing boards by providing training, timely communication and a knowledgeable clerking service. Underpinning our work at all times is the commitment to ensuring children in Leeds get the best education and outcomes possible. 

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Alison Smith, Manager or Claire Harrison, Deputy Manager on 0113 3785213 or email education.governors@leeds.gov.uk.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
 
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description 

Job purpose 

To provide a full range of support services to school and academy governing boards

Responsibilities 

The post holder is specifically responsible for:

Advice

• Accurate, professional, and timely advice is provided on matters relating to the responsibilities and conduct of school and academy governing boards via briefing documents, toolkits, guidance, and direct, individual support for governors, clerks and head teachers
• That advice and support to governors is current, accurate and easily accessible in order that they are supported to fulfil their statutory roles, are strong and effective and understand the city’s priorities
• That issues regarding the recruitment, appointment and resignation of governors are dealt with and advice is given on timely election and appointment procedures including the nomination of LA governors
• That advice and support shared with the team, including clerks who are home based, is relevant and effective

Traded Service

• The development and maintenance of the GSS traded services page on Leeds for Learning
• Monitoring the information held on the governor database to ensure it is up to date and compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations
• That governors in Leeds are supported to fulfil their statutory duties and share good practice
• That service income is maximised through service level agreements and other contracts for services

Training

• That the GSS management is supported in providing and delivering a high-quality training and development programme
• That through the training available governing boards are supported and challenged in order to develop strong, accountable governing boards, made up of highly skilled, well-informed, well-trained governors, who ensure statutory duties are met, set a standard of excellence, are focussed on improving teaching and learning and understand the city’s priorities for its children and young people.

The range of duties are:

Training

• Plan and deliver high quality training and development sessions for governors and governing boards using a range of media and techniques
• Develop and maintain administrative systems to support and publicise the service’s training programmes
• Support the GSS management to deliver a conference and briefings for governors

Advice and support

• Produce effective information and guidance documents for governors, clerks and head teachers.
• Identify governing boards which need additional support and plan and deliver appropriate support and guidance including through reviews of governance, brokered support from National and Local Leaders of Governance and other governing boards
• Develop and maintain a system of governor communications including social media, ensuring new legislation, including policy changes, are communicated
• Support the GSS manager in evaluating courses and providers and to continuously improve the GSS offer
• Support the GSS manager in evaluating the service including through commissioning regular feedback and surveys
• Maintain and update information on the effectiveness of governing bodies
• To participate in training and development opportunities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills

Clerking

• Quality assure the support provided by clerks to governing boards and conduct performance management interviews in accordance with company policies 
• To assist in the recruitment and development of clerks
• Liaise effectively with other Senior Governor Support Officers, Children and families staff, governors, head teachers and external organisations
• Clerk governing body meetings when required
• Facilitate the establishment Interim Executive Boards (IEBs) including suitable clerking arrangements

Additional duties

• Any other duties as directed

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Manage information:

• Assimilate complex information
• Offer appropriate advice and information
• Present information for a range of audiences and contexts
• Liaise with others in the organisation

Manage self and resources:

• Use own initiative
• Manage and develop staff
• Produce high quality written guidance materials

Manage projects:

• Recognise needs and prioritise work
• Develop and manage good administrative and organisational systems
• Manage financial systems and produce reports
• Run efficient meetings
• Collate statistical information

Assess requirements and manage people and resources to meet these:

• Communicate effectively in both the written and spoken word
• Promote  the highest standards of service delivery
• Meet deadlines
• Present training materials

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

• Good chairing skills
• Calm manner under conflicting demands
• Training skills

The post holder will be expected to have the following knowledge and understanding:

• An understanding of the current issues facing local authorities, local communities and education services
• In-depth understanding of the structure within Children and Families and the schools and organisations who use the service
• An understanding of governing board procedures and regulations