Reading Borough Council Hiring for Safeguarding and Children Missing Education Officer Job at Reading, England , UK Full Time

Brighter Futures for Children

Full-time, Fixed term for 9 months

About us

Brighter Futures for Children is an independent, not-for-profit-company, wholly owned by Reading Borough Council. Our responsibility is to deliver quality children’s services, early help, education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services to children and families in Reading.

About the role

This role will provide operational management of the Children Missing Education (CME) and safeguarding responsibilities in liaison with the Head of Education Access and Support and Director of Education.

It is a crucial co-ordination and administrative role in managing aspects of the service’s CME and Safeguarding responsibilities.

Key responsibilities:

• Oversee robust CME and safeguarding procedures with multi-agency partners
• Contribute to the reduction of exclusions through support and challenge to schools and multi-agency partnership
• With the Head of Education Access and Support co-ordinate the work in ensuring that schools have robust safeguarding arrangements and that we have the information required to be able to respond and intervene in those institutions where we have safeguarding concerns
• Ensure that schools are kept up to date with current safeguarding issues including PREVENT, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), modern slavery including human trafficking, slavery, forced labour and domestic servitude
• Exclusion’s advice and support for schools and families including representation at permanent exclusion hearings
• Liaising with stakeholders including the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership (BWSCP) to ensure effective communication and planning to address safeguarding issues in schools
• Raising concerns of a safeguarding nature to the Pupil & School Services Manager and escalate as necessary to the Director of Education
• Liaising with the BWSCP, Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and other agencies for the collection and communication of safeguarding issues
• Collate and analyse information on CME through interactions with schools and other stakeholders, tracking provision and organising case meetings, escalating issues of a strategic nature to the Head of Education Access and Support
• In liaison with the Head of Education Access and Support, contribute to meetings with parents and stakeholders to ensure that CME pupils are supported in accessing appropriate provision and support
• Co-ordinating information on children going missing from education and working with Early Help to take action where this occurs
• With the Education Welfare Service scrutinise how pupils are removed from school with independent scrutiny
• Administration and organisation of the termly CME meetings.

Experience/skills required:

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., Social Work, Education, Youth Work) with membership of appropriate professional body where relevant (e.g., GTC, HCPC) or NVQ level 4 in relevant field (e.g. Education Welfare, Learning Mentor, Connexions), or substantial previous experience as an Education Welfare Officer
• Knowledge of current Education legislation including Safeguarding, Children Missing Education and Exclusions
• Good working knowledge of child protection and safeguarding processes, procedures and thresholds
• Experience of working with families/children/young people, schools and/or in a statutory agency or environment governed by legislation and legal processes

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• 25 days holiday plus public holidays (rising to 32 after 10 years’ service)
• Discounted Child Care (on site nursery)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loans
• A range of local discounts

For more information and a confidential discussion please contact Fiona Hostler (Head of Education Access and Support) on [email protected]

Closing date: Sunday 4th September 2022

Interview date: TBC

We look forward to hearing from you!