Attendance Advice and Intervention Officer

Job description

We have two positions available to join us as Attendance Advice and Intervention Officers.

The full time position offers a starting salary of £42,958 per annum for 36 hours per week. The part time position offers a starting salary of £33,411.78 per annum for 28 hours per week.

We are delighted to be recruiting two Attendance Advice and Intervention Officers to join our Surrey Attendance Service in the West of the county. These roles provide an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact on children's education and wellbeing through supporting school attendance and early intervention.

The West Surrey team is based at our Victoria Gate office in Woking.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About the Role

The Surrey Attendance Service is responsible for carrying out the Local Authority's statutory responsibilities as outlined in the DfE "working together to improve schools attendance guidance" alongside other legislation.

We work with colleagues in the Education & Lifelong Learning directorate, specifically alongside: Gypsy, Romany & Traveller Support teams, the Courts team, SEND, Social Care, Children Not in School Services and with schools, to promote the importance of school attendance; supporting with strategies to improve the attendance of children and young people in Surrey.

As an Attendance Advice and Intervention Officer, you will play a vital role in ensuring we meet our statutory responsibilities around attendance. Working closely with headteachers and senior school leaders, you will help to identify and support the implementation of strategies that unblock barriers to attendance. You will provide guidance and support to schools around attendance and facilitate the sharing of best practise between schools in Surrey.

This will involve regular meetings with key contacts in schools to identify pupils at risk of poor attendance, to then agree and follow up on targeted actions for those pupils. You will also support the development and organisation of the attendance improvement networks.

The Attendance Advice and Intervention Officer is a highly varied role with key responsibilities including:

• Using data to identify key areas of concern in schools and working with staff to implement strategies that improve school attendance
• Carrying out Targeted Support Meetings across schools in Surrey
• Conducting 'Interviews Under Caution' and producing statements and evidence packs for court
• Advising both internal colleagues and external partners on attendance guidance and regulations, and how they can support the families they are working with where attendance is a concern
• Carrying out 'Children Missing Education' enquiries
• Carrying out initial Elective Home Education visits and enquiries
• Planning and facilitating the sharing of best practice network meetings for an allocation of schools

This role is both challenging and deeply rewarding, giving you the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children, young people, and families across Surrey.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:

• Knowledge of relevant legislation and DfE guidance in relation to the statutory requirement for school attendance
• Experience working with children and families
• Experience working with education settings, with an understanding of the education landscape
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to challenge effectively
• Ability to work in collaboration with a range of internal and external services

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's Barred List check will be required for this role.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 4 questions:

1. Please describe a time when you worked collaboratively with professionals from different services (e.g. education, social care, health) to support a child or family. What was your role, and how did you ensure effective partnership working?
2. Tell us about a situation where you had to communicate a difficult message to a parent, carer, or school professional. How did you approach the conversation, and what was the outcome?
3. Please give an example of a complex issue affecting a child or young person that you helped to resolve. What steps did you take to understand the problem, and how did you work towards a solution?
4. How have you used legislation or statutory guidance in your work to support children and families? Please give an example that shows your ability to interpret and apply this knowledge in practice.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 20th October 2026 with interviews to follow.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

Reference 225702614