School Admissions and Transport Officer

Job Introduction

About Us

Oxfordshire County Council’s School Admissions and Transport Service plays a vital role in helping children and young people access education by delivering statutory school admissions and home‑to‑school transport services.

Working in a high‑demand environment, the team manages applications for school places and transport across mainstream, SEND, alternative provision and in‑year movements. Through clear eligibility assessments, appeal casework and route safety reviews, the service ensures decisions are consistent, evidence‑based and aligned with national guidance and local policy.

You’ll join a supportive, solutions‑focused team committed to delivering high‑quality outcomes for families and maintaining a reliable and effective service.

About the Role

You will be part of a dedicated team delivering Home to School Transport (HTST), School Admissions, and Free School Meals (FSM) services across Oxfordshire. The role plays an important part in supporting children and young people to access education through the accurate and timely administration of statutory services.

The postholder will manage applications and assessments relating to mainstream and SEND transport, FSM entitlement, and associated appeals processes. This will involve interpreting and applying relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and local policies to individual cases, ensuring decisions are consistent, well‑evidenced, and clearly communicated.

Working closely with the Team Leader and Senior Officers, you will support day‑to‑day casework, data management, and the preparation of appeal documentation. You will respond to enquiries from families, schools, and partner services, including matters that may be complex or sensitive, ensuring information is clear, accurate, and customer‑focused.

The role also involves contributing to service improvement activity, maintaining accurate records, handling information securely in line with GDPR requirements, and supporting the Council’s safeguarding responsibilities to promote the welfare of children and young people.

About you

You are organised, methodical, and comfortable working with detailed information and statutory processes. You are able to interpret guidance and policy, apply it accurately to individual cases, and explain decisions clearly to a range of audiences.

You have strong communication skills and the confidence to deal professionally and sensitively with families, schools, and colleagues, including in situations that may be complex, challenging, or emotive. You are able to manage your own workload effectively, work to deadlines, and maintain accuracy while handling multiple tasks.

You work well as part of a team, supporting colleagues and senior officers and contributing positively to service delivery and improvement. You understand the importance of confidentiality, data protection, and secure handling of information, and you are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Experience of working in an administrative or customer‑focused role, ideally within a public service environment, is desirable. You will also be willing to develop specialist knowledge in HTST, School Admissions, FSM, and associated appeals processes.

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• up to 31 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact: Teresa.Goodgame@oxfordshire.gov.uk