Somerset Council
Education Engagement Officer
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Education Engagement Officer
Safeguarding & Education Engagement Officer Closing date: 20/07/2026 Salary: £28,598 – £32,061 per annum Location: Bridgwater
About the Role
You’ll play a critical role within our Children and Families directorate, focusing on safeguarding and ensuring educational access for children, young people, and adults with special educational needs (SEN), aged 0–25.
Your duties will include:
- Collaborating with education providers, early years settings, and stakeholders to address complex safeguarding issues and support child protection procedures.
- Promoting welfare and educational entitlement for children and young people in Somerset.
- Building relationships with attendance leads, headteachers, and professionals to improve outcomes for children.
Experience in education-related roles or supporting children and families is advantageous. A passion for ensuring students access their entitled education will drive this making-a-difference role.
Key Responsibilities
- Hold an allocation of education providers (early years, colleges, independent provision, schools) to address safeguarding concerns.
- Advise and support settings in resolving complex issues, participating in child protection procedures.
- Uphold agreed processes and hold both parents and schools accountable for safeguarding and educational access for SEN students.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with professionals focused on child safety and education.
- Promote safeguarding and welfare through expert knowledge of relevant policies and procedures.
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Essential Requirements
- Legal knowledge:
- Education Act (1996, 2002)
- Children Act (1989, 2004)
- Legislative framework for children in employment/entertainment, elective home education, and missing education.
- Familiarity with safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Understanding of Data Protection and confidentiality.
- SEN/SEND experience (especially with child protection needs).
- Professional relationships: Proven track record with education providers, partners, and stakeholders.
- Minimum Level 3 qualification (or equivalent).
- Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD).
- Communication skills: Excellent written and spoken abilities.
- Organisation & time management: Ability to prioritise sensitive workloads.
- Independent problem-solving, decision-making, and IT proficiency (Capita 4, EHM, Excel, email).
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Desirable Requirements
- Experience in courtroom presentations of safeguarding cases.
- Ability to mentor colleagues in safeguarding/audits.
- Experience with needs assessments, planning, and reviews for children.
- Qualifications: Education/social work or related fields; safeguarding training; legal studies.
- Additional specialist CPD in education/welfare safety.
Conditions & Contacts
- Full-time position: 37-hour week.
- Hybrid/flexible working: 1–2 working days in office.
- Annual leave: 28 days (excluding bank holidays).
- UK work eligibility: visa sponsorship unavailable.
Contact: Carys Quinn (
Carys.quinn@somerset.gov.uk) for informals. Interviews: 05/08/2026. A full job description available upon request.
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