- Suffolk County Council
- Address: Countywide in Suffolk, Hybrid work
- Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata)
- Hours: 29.6 hours per week, Flexible working options available
- Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment for up to 12 months
As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we’re driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people.
That’s why, when you join us as an Education Access Officer, you’ll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly established team as an Education Access Officer, working across Suffolk to strengthen our system‑wide response to children and young people who are at risk of, or already experiencing, reduced access to education.
Within this role, you will:
- Promote inclusive practice across the education system and partner organisations.
- Identify barriers to education and ensure children and young people receive the right support at the right time.
- Work in a solution‑focused way with children, young people and families at the centre.
- Challenge and support education providers to meet individual needs and improve outcomes.
- Support children and young people through their education pathway and/or SEND journey.
- Contribute to the Local Authority response for children at risk of exclusion or permanently excluded.
- Build strong working relationships with professionals, parents/carers and Local Authority colleagues.
- Maintain accurate records and produce clear reports for a range of audiences.
What you will need
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Experience of working within an education setting (or equivalent), with evidence of inclusive practice that delivers positive outcomes.
- Proven experience of working successfully with children, young people and families.
- A strong commitment to social inclusion, equality and diversity.
- Excellent communication skills and confidence engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.
- To be resilient, self‑motivated, creative and flexible.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile. If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
The Education Access Team works collaboratively with internal services and external partners to identify solutions and achieve positive outcomes for children, young people and their families. We support those who, for a range of reasons, are out of education and therefore at risk of non‑participation, disengagement and under‑achievement.
The Education Access Officer is a school‑facing role that supports children and young people who are unable to access full‑time education due to permanent exclusion, or who are at risk of exclusion. The role works closely with schools and academies, supporting them to focus on the individual needs of the child or young person and ensure the right support is in place.
Where required, we provide direct support and guidance to schools to help prevent permanent exclusions. This includes discussions around alternatives to exclusion, use of the Local Offer, alternative provision, outreach support, and signposting to appropriate services. A multi‑agency approach is taken when identifying next steps and recommending pathways to support each child or young person’s education journey.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
Please contact Maria Hough (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by either calling 01473 260394 or emailing maria.hough@suffolk.gov.uk
Alternatively, please contact Deb Chandler (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by either calling 01473 260204 or emailing deb.chandler@suffolk.gov.uk
If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.
How to apply
Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).
- Do you have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)?
- Give an example of how you have promoted inclusive practice within an education setting or across partner organisations. What impact did this have?
- Tell us about a situation where you provided both challenge and support to a school or professional colleague to ensure a child or young person’s needs were being met.
- Tell us about a time you supported a child or young person who was at risk of exclusion or had been permanently excluded. What was your role and what was the outcome?
- Describe a situation where you had to manage risk or safeguarding concerns. How did you identify the risk and what actions did you take?
Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV (Curriculum Vitae), your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by either emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.
Closing date: 11.30 pm, 18 May 2026.
Interview date: 28 May 2026.
Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
