Education Places Support Officer

Somerset County Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is seeking a full-time Education Places Support Officer to manage data systems and support planning for school places. The ideal candidate will have an NVQ or equivalent, knowledge of IT systems, and excellent communication skills. This role promotes vital improvements for children and the community, offering a salary between £28,598 to £32,061 per annum.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Staff discounts in gyms

Employee Assistance services

Contribution to Pension Scheme

Flexible Benefits Scheme

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to produce reports and arrange meetings.
• Understanding of various IT systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop data systems for school capacities.
• Maintain and update School Organisation Planning records.
• Produce reports to identify surpluses or shortfalls in school places.
• Provide input into property management systems.
• Engage with stakeholders including colleagues and headteachers.
• Respond to information requests ensuring equality and diversity.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

IT systems knowledge

Education

NVQ or equivalent Level 3 including Maths, English

Job description

Work Location & Contract

This role requires you to be in the County Hall a minimum of 1 to 2 days per week, however, there is the opportunity for hybrid working, allowing you to work either from home, subject to managerial approval, or from one of our offices.

28 days' annual leave (in addition to bank holidays).

The contract offered is Fixed Term 18 months and full-time (37 hours per week).

If applying as a secondment, please seek approval from your manager before applying.

What will I be doing?

As an Education Places Support Officer, you'll help ensure Somerset's schools have the right capacity and resources. You'll manage and update key data systems, support planning for school places, and work closely with colleagues and school leaders. Your work is vital for making sure every child has access to a suitable school place and that resources are used effectively across the county. This role is essential to the smooth running of the Education Places service. By ensuring that data is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible, you enable the council to plan effectively for current and future needs. This helps ensure that every child in Somerset has access to a suitable school place, and that resources are allocated where they are most needed. Your work underpins strategic decisions, supports capital investment, and helps maintain strong relationships with schools and partners across the county. We're working to improve the lives of children here in Somerset - and you'll be a key part of that.

Day-to-day responsibilities

• Managing and Developing Data Systems: You'll maintain and develop systems for recording and confirming school capacities, ensuring that accurate data is available for planning investment in school accommodation.
• Database and Records Management: You'll keep the School Organisation Planning records up to date.
• Reporting and Analysis: You'll produce reports to identify where there are surpluses or shortfalls in school places, helping to inform decisions about where investment is needed.
• Supporting Property and Capital Projects: You'll provide input into property management systems and keep records updated following changes from the Corporate Property team.
• Stakeholder Engagement: You'll work closely with colleagues, headteachers, governors, and other local authorities, providing advice and information, and supporting key meetings and panels.
• Freedom of Information and Compliance: You'll respond to information requests and ensure that equality, diversity, and inclusion are upheld in all aspects of your work.

Experience and Qualifications

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you have:

• An NVQ or equivalent Level 3 including Maths, English or comparable work-related experience.
• An understanding and good working knowledge of various IT systems, and enthusiasm for new Somerset Council technologies and working in new creative ways.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to produce appropriate reports, arrange and service meetings whilst maintaining a reliable and approachable demeanour.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. If you'd like to talk about anything before you apply, you can contact the hiring manager for a chat.

Benefits

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more.

Salary

The salary for the role is Grade 12, ranging from £28,598 to £32,061 per annum.

Contact

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Sarah Love, Service Manager - Education Places and Strategy at [email placeholder].