Job Description

Job Category: Childrens Services
:
Job Title: Elective Home Education Officer
Salary: 39,027 - 44,463 per annum
Grade: Band E
Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract 12 months
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
About the department
Thurrock School Attendance Support Team (SAST) is a small but dynamic team within Education & Skills in the Children's Services Directorate. The Team's main function is in relation to the local authority's statutory duties in respect of School Attendance and Elective Home Education (EHE). The team are committed to joint working with internal partners as well as all Thurrock schools and academies and, of course, Thurrock Families.
About the Role
As an Elective Home Education Officer, you will be responsible for:
You will be one of two Elective Home Education Officers, working directly with families who elect to home educate their child, through offering education information, advice and support.
You will support the work of the SAST to ensure that all compulsory school age children living in Thurrock receive their legal entitlement to education and ensure the effective discharge of related local authority statutory duties as well as being a key partner in Thurrock Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
You will be required to engage EHE families, which may include visiting them in their homes, to ensure the suitability of the EHE provision and will be required to follow statutory action, such as School Attendance Orders, if necessary to do so.
You will contribute towards the development of Thurrock Council policies and strategies by providing specialist advice and information.
You will hold a teaching qualification to HLTA as a minimum standard and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at enhanced level is also required.
This role offers the chance to make a real difference by [insert a sentence about the impact or purpose of the role].
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who has:
Good interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Someone who is organised and can prioritise work load and manage caseloads effectively. This post requires someone who has personal credibility in order to promote and sustain positive working partnerships. Knowledge of the local authority's statutory duties in respect of Elective Home Education EHE and an understanding of why parents may choose EHE for their child is essential. They will be experienced in working with families and young people and will be self motivated, as well as a good team player. They will also be be competent in the use of Microsoft Office and other Windows based software systems
Essential qualifications:
Qualifications (see note below)
Teaching qualification to HLTA as a minimum standard
Route 1
NVQ4 or an equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. youth work, teaching or social work)
Or Route 2
Skill level 3 qualifications/ Diploma or educated to A level standard or evidence of equivalent experience
Or Route 3
Ability to demonstrate relevant experience working with young people and educated to a minimum of A level standard.
At least GCSE or equivalent in English and mathematics
DBS Check: Enhanced with Child barring list
Benefits of Working with Us
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates
Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 11th September 2025
Closing Date (Internal & External): 28th September 2025
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed.
Additional Information
We are looking for someone who is flexible with regard to working hours and a full driving licence and use of own car to carry out duties is essential. (There is reimbursement for mileage incurred)
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:
Wendy Springham - Principal Education Engagement Officer
+44 7799 075093
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
Application Requirements
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.
If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
About Us:
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.
Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.
This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.
We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.
Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website:

Skills Required