School Attendance Advocate: Drive Improvement & Interventions

Essex County Counci; Basildon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council Attendance Specialist based in Basildon works with schools to improve pupil attendance and support early intervention. You will analyse data, present potential solutions, and develop plans to deliver improvements while recognising risks and ensuring realistic, value-driven outcomes.

This permanent, full-time role requires driving/mobility to cover an operational area, and offers a salary band of £29,512 to £34,720 per annum with benefits. Interviews on 16 October 2026.

Qualifications

• Educated to A level or equivalent by experience.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting data to identify trends and support improvement planning would be advantageous.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Practical experience within a school environment or enforcement environment.
• Evidence of resilience and prepared to challenge others to ensure progress.
• Practical experience of delivering public services in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Evidence of skills and experience in understanding and responding to different audiences and recognising the impact of actions on the rest of the organisation.
• Evidence of great communication and negotiation skills to persuade and influence others to accept recommendations, acting boldly in an agile environment.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the development of plans and initiatives to ensure schools are supported in seeking to improve pupil absence levels from school and agree relevant processes as to when escalation is the only option.
• Contributes to exploring options to improve attendance to ensure positive outputs, ensuring best value for money.
• Contributes to improving school attendance across Essex.
• Responsible for positively challenging education establishment’s policies and activity to improve attendance.
• Works collaboratively by engaging with appropriate stakeholders to define requirements and achieve quality and value for money services.
• Strategically investigates reasons for school absence and assesses appropriate action including legal action to protect children’s education.
• Works collaboratively with partners to ensure the best overall outcome for the people of Essex, whilst protecting ECC’s interests.
• Compile accurate written and computerised data of intervention in a timely manner to ensure comprehensive management reports for the service.

Skills

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Public service delivery

Resilience

Communication & negotiation

Mobility

Education

A level or equivalent

Tools

Driving licence

Job description

Essex County Council Attendance Specialist based in Basildon works with schools to improve pupil attendance and support early intervention. You will analyse data, present potential solutions, and develop plans to deliver improvements while recognising risks and ensuring realistic, value-driven outcomes.

This permanent, full-time role requires driving/mobility to cover an operational area, and offers a salary band of £29,512 to £34,720 per annum with benefits. Interviews on 16 October 2026.