Fair Access Officer

Schools; Littlehampton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

West Sussex County Council is recruiting a Fair Access Officer to support admission processes and ensure fair access for pupils. You will work within the Fair Access Team, providing guidance on exclusions and representing the local authority at governance hearings.

The role involves coordinating referrals to alternative provision, monitoring outcomes, and developing datasets on exclusion trends to inform policy and practice.

Qualifications

• Experience with exclusion processes in education settings.
• Ability to interpret and apply statutory guidance.
• Experience liaising with schools and partner agencies.
• Strong data handling and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on the exclusion process and represent the local authority at Governor's Disciplinary Committees.
• Distribute students fairly under the Fair Access Protocol to schools and alternative provision.
• Assess and manage referrals for alternative provision and monitor pupils in commissioned provisions.
• Prepare statistical data on trends in school exclusions.
• Respond to complex child-centred cases with sensitivity.
• Build and maintain relationships across the organisation and with external partners.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Job description

The Opportunity

FTE Salary: NJC Grade 8 £33,673 to £36 581 per annum

Actual Salary: Pro-rata per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, full time (term time only 39 weeks a year) or 32.5 hours a week all year round.

Location: Your current work base is Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton. The use of Arun Civic Centre is currently initially expected to be in place for three years to April 2029. The substantive hub for your service is Worthing and therefore, there is the potential for services to relocate to Worthing in the future.

Please note:

• There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.
• You will be able to travel independently throughout the county to areas that may not be accessible by public transport.
• You will be able to attend meetings that may fall outside of core working hours from time-to-time.

Closing date: 22nd November 2026

Interview date: 30th November 2026

Do you enjoy researching and interpreting information?

Do you have experience or knowledge of schools and the education system?

Are you passionate about supporting your community?

As a Fair Access Officer, you will be working in the Fair Access Team who is responsible for the implementation of the Fair Access Protocol in West Sussex. The protocol addresses the admission of specific students to schools and alternative provision.

Your responsibilities include giving advice and guidance on the exclusion process, representing the local authority at Governor's Disciplinary Committees, ensuring a fair distribution to schools of pupils meeting the Fair Access Protocol, assessing, and managing referrals for alternative provision and monitoring the pupils attending our commissioned alternative provisions.

The work within this role is varied, including:

• Preparing statistical data on trends and patterns in school exclusions.
• Responding sensitively to complex child-centred casework.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships.
• Influencing and challenging across the organisation, within a political environment.
• Ensuring senior schools' staff and governing bodies comply with the statutory guidance on exclusion from school and the Fair Access Protocol under the School Admissions Code.
• This is an exciting opportunity for someone committed to good outcomes for vulnerable pupils and wishing to further their career.
• Experience of working with schools and in partnership with other agencies.

Our team is passionate and dedicated to positive outcomes for young people. As a team member you will demonstrate strong communication skills, commitment, ability to prioritise, make decisions, problem solve, all with due regard to statutory guidance.

About You

We are looking for someone who has personal resilience and professionalism, and who can organise their own workload, respond to unexpected situations appropriately, and make decisions using recognised guidelines.

Key Skills

• 1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in order to effectively exchange complicated or sensitive information.
• 2. Excellent verbal communication skills including the ability to effectively participate in panels and appeal hearings and multi-disciplinary meeting