CME EHE Investigator (Children Missing Education, Elective Home Education)
Permanent, Full Time
£36,375 to £42,794 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Working Style:
Closing Date: 1st January 2026
*This is a hybrid-working role contractually based in Chelmsford. You will work from the Chelmsford office at least one day per month and across our operational area on other days, depending on business need.
This is a rare opportunity to join the well-established Education Compliance team at Essex County Council following a member of the team reaching their retirement.
This role is responsible for ensuring that children and young people have access to suitable education, either via a school place or otherwise (. elective home education).
This role focuses on safeguarding children and young people’s right to an education and to make use of formal processes, where it appears that a child may not have access to a suitable education. Investigating circumstances surrounding children who are reported as missing from education to determine whether legal proceedings need to commence to protect children or young people. To ensure that families understand the responsibilities involved when they elect to home educate and are committed to providing a suitable home education which is suitable to their child/ren’s age, abilities and aptitude. A key requirement of this role is for Officers to work with families, schools and other professionals to resolve a child’s CME status.
An experienced and effective investigator within the educational environment, acting as a CME/EHE Officer for ECC, you will be influential and bold in seeking solutions to ensure a framework of activity to protect children and young people.
Accountabilities
Utilises specialist knowledge and experience to ensure the effectiveness of the Education Compliance team in meeting its statutory responsibilities, delivering actions within specific deadlines.
Provide expert advice and guidance to key stakeholders to ensure that the educational needs of vulnerable groups are met.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across the functional teams to ensure efficient working practice to achieve desired outcomes.
Provide rigorous case investigation ensuring quality, solution focused work and any necessary appropriate legal intervention is undertaken within expected time frames.
Provide appropriate challenge where pupils are prevented from accessing an education and delivers expert advice and guidance to schools, families and utilising other agencies to locate and return children to education.
Conducts investigations to safeguard children’s right to an education.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience in relevant subject area.
Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area which includes relevant legislation and regulations.
Significant experience within education safeguarding or statutory intervention, developing expertise and understanding of working with vulnerable groups in Essex.
Experience of delivering public services in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Good communication skills, assertive and confident in working with key stakeholders, prepared to challenge, as appropriate.
Excellent record keeping and evidence gathering skills, detailed enough to stand up to legal scrutiny where cases follow statutory processes and evidence is to be presented in a Magistrates Court.
Experience of delivering public services in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about
, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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