FALKIRK COUNCIL. Job Outline. Children s Services. Sealock House, Inchyra Road, Grangemouth

Transcription

1 FALKIRK COUNCIL Job Outline Children s Services SECTION A Post Title: Service: Section: Location: Grade: Forward Planning Officer Children s Services Planning and Resources Sealock House, Inchyra Road, Grangemouth H SECTION B Organisational Relationship The Forward Planning Officer is accountable to the Senior Forward Planning Officer within the Forward Planning Section of the Planning and Resources Division: Property Development Manager Senior Forward Planning Officer Forward Planning Section Forward Planning Officer Business Support (Clerical) SECTION C Job Purpose The Forward Planning Officer is primarily responsible for the effective operation of the Children s Services Admissions and Transport Policies as well as supporting the strategic forward planning of education provision.

2 SECTION D Key Responsibilities (a) To create, develop and maintain processes and systems to provide school admissions, transport and forward planning related management information to support service delivery and improvement. (b) To have responsibility for implementing the Council s Admission s Policy, with particular reference to placing requests and alternative placements, and ensuring that legislation is fully complied with. (c) To assist with the Placing Request Appeal process. (d) To provide support, advice and assistance to parents, schools, managers, colleagues and elected members on school admissions and transport related issues. (e) To provide accurate and reliable guidance and interpretation of Education policies to other services, members of the public and councillors. (f) To act as the client officer for Children s Services with regard to Distance Entitled and Additional Support Needs Transport, which will include representation during Transport Appeals. (g) To maintain the Service Level Agreement with the Transport Planning Unit and liaise with them to ensure that the Children s Service s Transport Policy is correctly implemented. (h) To develop and update the Transport and Admissions policies and procedures as required in accordance with service requirements and legislative changes. (i) To assist in all consultative processes, formal or informal, relating to any proposed change in educational provision, but particularly school catchment rezoning. (j) To develop and maintain a range of data and information to support operational requirements and strategic forward planning of educational provision. (k) To carry out any other duties as requested by the Director of Children s Services within the exigencies of the Service.

3 SECTION E Accountability The work of the Forward Planning Officer is crucial to the success of the Council in meeting current and future demand for school places. There are significant budget implications for service delivery in this area that rely on effective application of policy and the provision of high quality management information. The Forward Planning Officer is relied on by parents, schools and colleagues to facilitate admissions procedures and transport provision that is consistent with Council policy and legislation. The postholder will be expected to advise senior officers in such matters. The postholder will have tasks and responsibilities as prescribed by senior officers, but there will be areas where the postholder must be independent and take responsibility for decisions after consultation with relevant parties. Section F Knowledge, Skills and Experience The postholder must: Be educated to at least HND or equivalent. Have excellent communication skills. Be highly numerate and literate. Have the ability to work pro-actively and with minimal supervision. Be able to negotiate effectively with staff at all levels in schools and service agencies and members of the local community. Have experience of maintaining, analysing and reporting data using spreadsheets and databases. Experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) would be an advantage.

4 Section G Demands A committment to customer care is essential. The postholder will be required to source, maintain, process, analyse and report on a range of complex information and data using Microsoft Excel and Access and GIS software. The postholder must be able to interpret complex issues and prepare strategic management reports for senior officers. A high degree of confidentiality, excellent people management skills and considerable organisational ability are required. The postholder must be well organised and capable of prioritising and managing a challenging workload. More significant tasks will require an understanding of project management. Liaison is required with a range of individuals from a wide variety of services, agencies and the local community and the postholder will be expected to exercise judgement when making decisions or issuing advice. The postholder will require to think creatively and to develop new systems or approaches to improve service delivery where required. Occasionally the duties of the post will require attendance at meetings outwith working hours (e.g. evening meetings during public consultations). SECTION H Communications and Contacts Internal Will include written and oral communication with headteachers at primary and secondary schools, councillors, senior officers within Children s Services and other Council services. External Will include written and oral communication with parents, school boards, the Scottish Executive, MPs and MSPs, other service users, public sector organisations, private and voluntary organisations, officers in other councils.

5 SECTION I Environment There are significant demands on the postholder to respond to service and council priorities within tight timescales. The postholder will be expected to provide consistent, objective and sympathetic advice when questioned on policy issues by parents and their representatives.