Job Introduction
We’re looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic person with a keen interest in children's education to join our Access to Education Team. We ensure children living in Milton Keynes have access to a suitable education, and you’ll be an important part of this by managing how we process school applications for children moving into the city outside of the usual admissions timeframe.
You'll be a confident communicator who is able to provide expert advice - and sometimes provide a challenge - regarding school admissions to parents, schools, and colleagues. You'll be joining a friendly team who work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment to deliver an excellent service.
Interview for this role will be held on 9th or 10th January 2025
Main Responsibility
• Manage the day to day running of the Education Access Service (either the Targeted or Universal services), allocating and prioritising, work as appropriate.
• Ensure every child has access to a suitable, full-time education via early years placement and promptly processing school admissions applications, considering home to school transport eligibility and escalating very challenging access issues.
• Ensure the city council carries out its duties responsibly in relation to children missing education, home education and exclusions.
• Represent the city council at Admissions Appeals and Pupil Disciplinary Committees.
• Safeguard children and young people identified as potentially being at risk through contact with the service.
The Ideal Candidate
You will have a knowledge of the legislation and guidance in relation to school admissions with an ability to prioritise a large number of varied tasks to meet a range of deadlines.
Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks a Basic DBS will be actioned for you and BPSS checks.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
