Admissions, Applications & Awards Officer

About the role

Admissions, Applications & Awards Officer

Fixed Term, Part Time

£29,377 up to £30,377 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 18th March 2026

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 8 months

Please note this is a part time position working 29.36 hours per week. The pro rata salary will be £ £23,311.05 up to £24,104.56 per annum

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford, 1 day per month, with the remaining time allowing for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s needs.

To read more about our business area, please visit:

Education

The Opportunity

To validate, assess and determine a high volume of applications under legislative

criteria, applying detailed knowledge of school admissions and education transport

assessment, preparing case papers for appeal hearings to be heard under statutory

guidance.

This role will work in a multi-disciplinary team handling applications for admissions to

more than 500 mainstream schools in Essex and the full spectrum of primary,

secondary, special and alternative provision schools in relation to transport eligibility.

Responsible for the timely assessment and determination of school places and

transport assessment for children in response to several thousands of individual

applications, the postholder will interact on a daily basis with schools, parents and

other internal and external stakeholders to deliver outcomes under the law and Council

policies.

Excellent, timely customer service, whilst upholding Council policy decisions in these

critical front line services will be essential.

Accountabilities

Validating, considering and determining applications for school places under national
legislation and the statutory School Admissions Code to fulfil the Council’s statutory
and published obligations on each individual application.
Apply detailed subject matter knowledge of the law, statutory guidance and the
Council’s Education Transport Policy to accurately assess each application and inform
parents within service timescales.
Ensure all individual school and casework deadlines are met, working in partnership with schools and preparing detailed, accurate documents for the statutory independent admission appeal process.
Monitor and quality assure the accuracy and completion of the work of Customer Service Advisers, providing training and support. Work collaboratively and correspond with relevant stakeholders, including with parents of children with complex needs, as well as with schools and Headteachers to provide outcomes, whilst maintaining Council policy.
Continuously monitor and review outstanding work, escalating casework and issues as necessary and keep parents and schools informed about any delays. Be responsible for providing detailed individual casework history and advising more senior officers in order to respond to complaints made through Cllr’s, elected members, MPs, the Local Government Ombudsman and other relevant sources. Challenge any inappropriate advice, robustly and clearly defending Council policy whilst demonstrating empathy for parents, including those with children with special educational needs and disabilities to deliver fair and lawful transport assessment outcomes.
Use in depth knowledge to respond to high volumes of customer enquiries about admission and transport policy, co-ordinating information for complaints and transport appeals and sharing feedback to suggest and implement continuous improvement.
To undertake effective complaint and conflict resolution with parents, schools and other relevant customers, evaluating issues and using effective oral and written communication skills to offer de-escalate concerns. Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Educated to A Level standard or equivalent by experience.
A high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and organisational skills. Knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy framework on school admissions and transport, including the Statutory School Admission Code and the co-ordinated processes.
Excellent IT skills particularly in Microsoft Excel and the use of databases and email. Knowledge and experience of the Capita One admissions systems and software would be a distinct advantage.
An understanding of the requirements of data protection and information security.
The ability to work independently with limited supervision to complete essential tasks that are critical to the overall processes.
Experience in working in a customer focused environment with an appreciation of accountability and the consequences of actions and ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders . Adept and multi-tasking and working in a pressurised environment of non-negotiable deadlines, whilst maintaining quality.

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 Everyone's Essex. 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 devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

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.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email jamielea.wallis@essex.gov.uk

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