What is the job role?
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Children Absent from Education Officer – Children Missing Education (CME) to join our dedicated Children Absent from Education Team.
This is a full-time, permanent role offering the chance to play a pivotal part in ensuring that every child in Coventry has access to their right to education.
The Children Absent from Education Team are looking for a dynamic and committed individual who can support the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duties for Children Absent from Education and to lead the Children Missing Education team, which includes supporting newly arrived families and children from overseas to access the education system and settle into school life.
Key areas of responsibility include oversight and management of:
1. Identifying, monitoring, and re-engaging Children Missing Education.
2. Providing support to newly arrived families accessing school places.
3. Monitoring, reporting and processes for Part-Time/ Reduced Timetables
4. Pupil attendance enforcement, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
5. Supporting Leadership with management of other key areas of Children Absent from Education.
All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Who are we looking for?
The successful candidate will bring proven experience of working within statutory guidance in a high-demand environment, demonstrating resilience, sound judgement, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively. Strong communication and organisational skills are essential, along with the confidence to handle complex situations, engage with the public, and work collaboratively with a wide range of partner agencies.
You will have a professional and approachable manner, with the ability to manage and organise a team to ensure the Local Authority’s statutory duties are delivered to a high standard. Attention to detail, accuracy in recording, and the ability to prioritise under pressure are vital to success in this role.
As Senior Children Absent from Education Officer – CME, you will have direct responsibility for the team, providing clear supervision, guidance, and oversight while also quality assuring casework, records, and case notes to ensure consistency and compliance.
Confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism are key, as you will be handling sensitive information and enquiries. You will also need the flexibility and adaptability to manage changing demands within a fast-paced, high-profile service.
If you would like further information regarding this post, please contact:
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our to see how we can assist you.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
6. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
7. Are currently in care or have previously been in care
8. If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.
Interview date: 15th December
About Coventry
Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.
We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.
At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.
To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.