School Support Officer - Full Time

The Education People - Schools Financial Services

Ref: 1626

Posted: 19/03/2025 Start Date: ASAP

Interview Date: TBC

Pay: TEP10 - £36,233 - £44,741

Close Date: 31/03/2025 at 23:45

Job Description

Purpose of the Job:

Work in collaboration with KCC and TEP Officers to support vulnerable schools in the Ofsted window, facing financial challenges, Academising, out of delelgation or facing closure.

Provide strategic financial guidance, support and advice to Governors, Headteachers and Finance staff in managing financial challenges; liaising with KCC and TEP Officers where appropriate.

To manage and support the financial aspects of the redundancy process and affordability of loans, minimising costs to the Local Authority.

Main duties and responsibilities:

1. Provide a comprehensive range of financial support, advice and data to KCC and TEP Officers in respect of schools presenting concerns from a School Improvement or Assistant Director perspective.
2. Deliver proactive strategic financial support, guidance and advice to Governors, Headteachers and Finance staff in managing financial challenges and mitigate deficits using early intervention wherever possible.
3. Ensure schools and TEP/KCC are compliant with the Scheme for Financing Schools and the Financial Controls in respect of the Licensed Deficit Process and in work supporting schools with their financial management. Maintain and update all necessary documentation and ensure timely circulation to all stakeholders.
4. Collaboratively with KCC and TEP colleagues, manage high risk scenarios for schools out of delegation, at risk of Ofsted category, Academisation, facing closure or any other scenario that poses a financial risk.
5. Manage and support the redundancy process for school staff, ensuring compliance with Financial Control No 5a, applications are robustly challenged and costs to the Local Authority are minimised. Maintain the redundancy tracker to inform effective monitoring of the KCC redundancy budget.
6. Assess the affordability of all loan applications, ensuring compliance with Financial Control No 3, applying robust challenge on all applications where appropriate.
7. Deliver and support contracts as necessary, including urgent and high risk ad hoc contracts, as agreed with the Service Delivery Manager, defined in the relevant contract specification documentation and agreed with schools and academies. This will include providing support and sound financial management advice to all schools, including those in financial difficulty, on budget preparation, monthly monitoring and closure of accounts.
8. Record and maintain accurate financial data and templates for all Kent maintained schools, to inform KCC led meetings and management reporting, and to support proactive work and early intervention with schools facing financial challenges.
9. Support the delivery of all business requirements of Schools Financial Services.

Contact Information

Telephone: 03301 651164

Email: maxine.gibson@theeducationpeople.org

Documents

• Job Description - Microsoft Word document, 99.0KB