Statutory School Exclusion Officer

Statutory School Exclusion Officer

Starting Salary: £38,220 progressing to £41,771 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: St Albans (Main office Stevenage (for training and team meetings) - with travel across Hertfordshire as required

Contract Type: Permanent

Directorate: Children's Services

Can you work in a highly challenging, demanding, fast paced yet dynamic service? Do you have a tenacity and passion for education and supporting vulnerable children and families to ensure positive outcomes? We are looking for a Statutory School Exclusion Officer to join the Statutory School Exclusion Team. You will be the bridge between schools and families, navigating the complexities of school exclusion and the Hertfordshire Fair Access Protocol.

You will challenge, support, and influence Head Teachers to help ensure that every young person has a path to success.

The Statutory School Exclusion Officer will ensure the Local Authority meets its statutory responsibility for securing mainstream school places for those pupils who meet the threshold for the Hertfordshire Fair Access Protocol (FAP) and provide advice on all matters relating to school suspension and permanent exclusion.

• Ensuring robust scrutiny whilst also supporting and influencing Head Teachers and senior school staff in seeking alternatives to permanent exclusion and in securing school places, in line with the Team’s Key Performance Indicators.
• Negotiating and liaising with schools, Education Support Centres and other specialist services to secure support packages for pupils.
• Providing advice and guidance to Head Teachers, parents, carers and school governors often in challenging circumstances.
• Chairing and minuting complex multi-agency Inclusion Panel meetings and seeking successful resolutions for vulnerable pupils.
• Leading on strategic conversations with Head Teachers and senior school staff in driving forward strategies to reduce permanent exclusion.
• Ensuring the LA’s safeguarding duties.

• A-level educated or substantial experience in a relevant field
• Resilient, able to work effectively under pressure with sound professional judgement
• Confident in constructively challenging and influencing senior leaders to achieve positive outcomes
• Knowledge of (or ability to quickly learn) exclusion processes, statutory guidance, and Fair Access Protocols
• Excellent communicator, skilled in managing sensitive and complex discussions with professionalism and empathy
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including managing complex casework
• Collaborative, building effective relationships with schools, families, and agencies
• Skilled negotiator, resolving challenging situations through calm, persuasive approaches
• Highly competent administrator with strong Microsoft Office skills and accurate record-keeping ability
• Proven success in improving outcomes for vulnerable children
• Solutions-focused, creative, and impact-driven
• Experienced in chairing and minuting multi-agency meetings
• Proactive team player with commitment to continuous development
• Able to work independently, managing and prioritising a complex caseload
• Holds a full driving licence with access to a vehicle

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.