Education Participation Advisory Service (EPAS) Officer

Education Participation Advisory Service (EPAS) - Officer

Education & Skills

Full Time Permanent

Solihull’s Education Inclusion team has been renamed to Education Participation Advisory Service (EPAS) to reflect the work of the service. We have an exciting opportunity for an Officer to join the service.

This post will be part of the advisory team for vulnerable children in education.

This part of the team’s key focus is around reducing the number of suspensions and permanent exclusions, providing 6th day provision following a permanent exclusion, supporting mainstream schools to meet the needs of children with an EHCP whilst they are waiting for a specialist placement and supporting parents understanding and schools use of the graduated approach and expectations of SEND support through Way Forward Meetings.

As a whole team, the Education Participation Advisory Service is committed to ensuring that all children and young people in Solihull have access to inclusive and appropriate education so they can achieve positive outcomes - enabling them to lead successful adult lives. The Service provides advice, guidance and support for children and their families where accessing appropriate education is challenging. The EPAS team is responsible for a number of areas including Children Missing Education, Elective Home Education, Permanent Exclusions, suspension and permanent exclusion prevention guidance, attendance support, the legal aspects of attendance/absence and the issuing of child chaperone badges, work permits and entertainment licenses. The Service also tracks children between provisions.

As an Officer within the EPAS you will:

• Champion children’s rights to appropriate education – providing appropriate guidance and challenge to school leaders and governors to ensure that statutory responsibilities are met.
• Support staff within education settings to develop inclusive practice and environments – sharing policy and best practice; especially relating to attendance, exclusion and meeting the needs of children and young people likely to be more vulnerable to achieving.
• Facilitate partnership working between families, education settings, health and social care partners to ensure that the support provided to children and young people meets their whole needs.
• Work closely with families, schools/colleges and other professionals to address issues preventing children and young people from accessing fulltime and appropriate education – improving education outcomes.

You will have:

• A Degree level qualification (or equivalent) or have the ability to demonstrate through relevant experience an equivalent level of knowledge.
• Experience of working with children, young people and their families
• Experience of providing guidance, advice and challenge to other professionals
• Experience of multi-agency working

This role is based in our collaborative open plan office space with options of working from home some of the time. The office base is the Council House, in central Solihull, within walking distance of our shops and local amenities.

We also offer:

• Flexible working, including flexi leave up to 25 days per year
• A comprehensive training and development programme
• Generous annual leave entitlements with opportunity to buy up to 10 days additional leave per year
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme – a 24 hour independent, free and confidential advice and support service
• Family and carer friendly policies
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee benefits including subsidised travel passes, Cycle 2 Work Scheme and staff discounts

This is an essential car user post as the demands of the job make it operationally essential and there is a contractual requirement to make a suitable vehicle available to ensure the requirements of the job can be carried out effectively.

Please see attached job description and person specification for full details. Please note we do not accept CVs.

For further information or an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact:

Aggie Polanski, EPAS Senior Officeragnieszka.polanski@solihull.gov.uk

Closing Date – 27 April 2025

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 7 May 2025

An online search will be carried out for all shortlisted candidates.

This post will require an Enhanced check for regulated activity for working with children.

Please note we do not accept CVs.

This post is covered by the Fluency Duty, as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers.

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Attached documents
JDPS EPAS Officer March 2025.docx