Job Introduction
We’re looking for a motivated person with good attention to detail to join our friendly team who will help children in Milton Keynes access full-time education.
As Education Access Officer, you’ll process applications from families and give support to those people who need extra help and advice.
You’ll work with a range of people including local residents, children’s services colleagues, and school staff.
This role would suit a homeworker (with the requirement to come into the office once a week) and we will provide all the technology needed to work effectively from home.
The role requires a DBS check.
Main Responsibility
- Utilise knowledge of admissions legislation to investigate and respond to complex enquiries by clearly explaining specialist information, providing difficult outcomes to parents/carers and schools in a professional and emphatic manner.
- Continuous updated localised knowledge is critical as procedures can differ.
- Coordinate and process applications for school places and home to school transport in line with the school admissions code and local policies to ensure MKCC meets the statutory duty.
- Confidently utilise understanding of admissions legislation to determine school place allocations based on the individual school’s published oversubscription criteria. Handling large amounts of information ensuring confidentiality and accuracy at all times.
- Apply understanding of children missing education legislation and MKCC’s holistic approach to investigate cases and provide advice and guidance to key stakeholders, ensuring families receive required support and information is shared sensitively with an empathetic manner.
- Independently analyse and decide how to progress applications in addition to prioritising a high volume of varied tasks and escalated telephone calls to meet timeframes as set by the new school admissions Code.
- Through development of an in depth understanding of legislation, provide guidance to schools and colleagues in the city council regarding education access and Fair Access referrals in line with the updated school admissions code.
The Ideal Candidate
- We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic individual who shares our commitment to enhancing the lives of local children.
- You'll want to work in a team that ensures all children living in Milton Keynes have access to education.
- Service driven and keen to join a team that is motivated to provide a high-quality service to families.
- We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic individual who shares our commitment to enhancing the lives of local children.
- Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks a Basic DBS will be actioned for you.
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.
- 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.
