Exclusion and Prevention Lead Officer

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review

Working 36.5 hours per week

Are you committed to ensuring every child and young person can thrive in an inclusive educational environment? Birmingham City Council is seeking a strategic and dynamic leader to join our Children and Families Directorate as the Exclusion and Prevention Lead Officer.

As Exclusion and Prevention Lead Officer you will lead the Exclusions Team and work in partnership with schools and settings to prevent exclusions and develop inclusive pathways. You will be responsible for delivering the Exclusions Service, overseeing the Exclusions Strategy and ensuring Early Help is brokered through schools and settings. Your leadership will drive continuous improvement and positive outcomes for children and young people across Birmingham.

• Leading the Exclusions Service and developing Inclusive Pathways to prevent exclusion from school.
• Working in partnership within the directorate and with schools, settings and agencies to address issues that lead to exclusion.
• Developing and retaining oversight of the Exclusions Strategy.
• Engaging with schools and settings to support Alternative Provision, Managed Moves and Inclusive Pathways.
• Promoting and implementing change to ensure continuous improvement through effective service planning and performance monitoring.
• Undertaking safeguarding duties and managing thresholds and risks in collaboration with Education Safeguarding and Children out of Sight.
• Managing the deployment of teams including performance management and capability.
• Investigating complaints and disciplinary matters in accordance with Directorate procedures.
• Overseeing financial and physical resources to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
• Setting clear measurable and achievable goals for the service and inspiring high‑quality service delivery.
• Ensuring activities are carried out within budget and in line with legislative, regulatory and national requirements.

• Hold a degree‑level education or relevant professional qualification.
• Possess substantial experience of working with schools and children and young people with behaviour difficulties.
• Have considerable experience providing advice and guidance in line with statutory procedures.
• Demonstrate experience of leading and implementing national and local initiatives with accurate application of regulations/legislation.
• Are skilled in dealing with sensitive and emotional situations, maintaining confidentiality.
• Show proactivity in safeguarding children using sound judgement to protect from harm.
• Set clear direction, objectives and responsibilities while assuming accountability and inspiring others by acting with integrity.
• Build and motivate teams creating a positive and collaborative environment.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, external agencies, children, families and carers.
• Display successful persuasion and influencing skills on complex and sensitive issues.
• Understand and interpret complex written reports and policy documents, evaluating arguments effectively.
• Plan and prioritise work to meet deadlines ensuring robust procedures and accurate records.

• A supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Flexible working options and support for those with caring responsibilities.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Please upload an up‑to‑date CV and Supporting Statement via the attachments part of your application. The Supporting Statement should outline how you meet the criteria for the role through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. Note the Personal Statement should be no more than 1500 words. Unfortunately we cannot consider any applications without a CV and Personal Statement attached.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Our data tells us that for this level of role ethnic minorities are underrepresented and therefore we will…