Overview

Job Title: Elective Home Education Officer
Salary: £39,027 - £44,463 per annum
Grade: Band E
Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract 12 months
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Department

Thurrock School Attendance Support Team (SAST) is a small but dynamic team within Education & Skills in the Children's Services Directorate. The Team's main function is in relation to the local authority's statutory duties in respect of School Attendance and Elective Home Education (EHE). The team are committed to joint working with internal partners as well as all Thurrock schools and academies and, of course, Thurrock Families.

Role and Responsibilities

• As an Elective Home Education Officer, you will be responsible for:
• You will be one of two Elective Home Education Officers, working directly with families who elect to home educate their child, through offering education information, advice and support.
• You will support the work of the SAST to ensure that all compulsory school age children living in Thurrock receive their legal entitlement to education and ensure the effective discharge of related local authority statutory duties as well as being a key partner in Thurrock Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
• You will be required to engage EHE families, which may include visiting them in their homes, to ensure the suitability of the EHE provision and will be required to follow statutory action, such as School Attendance Orders, if necessary to do so.
• You will contribute towards the development of Thurrock Council policies and strategies by providing specialist advice and information.
• You will hold a teaching qualification to HLTA as a minimum standard and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at enhanced level is also required.

What We're Looking For

• Good interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. You should be organised, able to prioritise workload and manage caseloads effectively. Personal credibility is important to promote and sustain positive working partnerships.
• Knowledge of the local authority's statutory duties in respect of Elective Home Education (EHE) and an understanding of why parents may choose EHE for their child is essential.
• Experience in working with families and young people; self-motivated and a good team player.
• Competence in the use of Microsoft Office and other Windows-based software systems.

Essential qualifications

• Teaching qualification to HLTA as a minimum standard
• Routes:
  • Route 1: NVQ4 or an equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. youth work, teaching or social work)
  • Route 2: Skill level 3 qualifications/ Diploma or educated to A level standard or evidence of equivalent experience
  • Route 3: Ability to demonstrate relevant experience working with young people and educated to a minimum of A level standard
  • At least GCSE or equivalent in English and mathematics

DBS Check

Enhanced with Child barring list

Benefits of Working with Us

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

• Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 11 September 2025
• Closing Date (Internal & External): 28 September 2025
• Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

We are looking for someone who is flexible with regard to working hours and a full driving licence and use of own car to carry out duties is essential. (There is reimbursement for mileage incurred)

Contact

Wendy Springham - Principal Education Engagement Officer
+44 7799 075093

Documentation

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

Application Requirements

• As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Saf safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.
• If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
• Gaps in Employment Form
• Gaps in Employment Example