Principal Officer - Equity & Inclusion - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £26.91 - £30.30

Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday
Flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible.
To start asap.

An opportunity has arisen for a Principal Officer - Equity & Inclusion to join the Education Strategy & Operations Team, offering a varied and interesting role supporting our school communities, Head Teachers, parents/carers and Education managers in the delivery of our Education Service priorities through high quality pupil support business functions. The post holder will be the local authority nominated Parental Engagement Officer and oversee the application of policies and processes in connection with school admissions and pupil placement, home to school transport, specialist provisions and additional needs, Education Maintenance Allowance and Free School Meals and Clothing Grants.

The post holder will need to be a skilled negotiator as the lead officer for pupil placement appeals and to develop and manage the complaints processes within the Education Service. The ability to interpret legislation and apply it to business processes is key to the this role.

The Principal Officer - Equity & Inclusion will support the Quality Improvement Manager to develop and monitor budgets for predictable and exceptional needs and all other associated budgets within this work stream. Experience of financial/budget management is essential.

It is anticipated that interviews for this post will take place on Monday 8^th April 2024.

Home Working Consideration
Applications for homeworking or hybrid working will be considered for this post, subject to a trial period and in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview. All applicants must live in the UK and will be expected to attend Council offices from time to time as required.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY
This post is open only to current employees of East Lothian Council (this includes agency/casual/locum staff who are currently undertaking work for us). 

Job Details

To lead in the management and co-ordination of efficient and responsive pupil support services, encompassing equity and inclusion across Education Services.

In liaison with others develop legislative policy and the operational processes for effective management of mainstream and additional support needs functions, including but not exclusive to, pupil placement and appeals, predictable and exceptional needs funding and process complaints, Education Maintenance Allowances, free school meals, clothing grants and home to school transport.

To provide advice and information to the public, Head Teachers, staff, councillors, school Parent Councils and outside agencies regarding education matters and functions.

To act as the Parental Engagement Officer for the local authority, ensuring compliance with the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
Educated to Degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject ie Business Management and/or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies gained through previous experience.

Driving Licence
A full current driving licence is desirable for this post.

Disclosure
The preferred candidate for this position may be subject to a Basic Disclosure Check carried out by Disclosure Scotland prior to a formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form.