Service Manager - Access, Attendance and Alternative Education

Job Introduction

About Us

At Oxfordshire County Council, we want every child and young person to have the opportunity to learn, thrive and achieve their potential. Within our Children, Education and Families Directorate, our Education Access services work to remove barriers to education, strengthen inclusion and ensure that children and young people can access suitable, safe and timely learning.

We know that improving attendance and educational access takes more than the work of one team. It requires schools, education providers, council services, health partners, families and communities to work together, identifying difficulties early and providing coordinated support. That is why this role is so important.

As our Service Manager – Access, Attendance and Alternative Education, you will help shape how we support children and young people who face barriers to education, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged. This is an opportunity to influence practice across Oxfordshire, lead committed specialist teams and build partnerships that improve attendance, prevent exclusion and strengthen pathways back into education.

About the Role

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who combines a commitment to educational inclusion with the expertise to lead effective statutory services and deliver sustained improvement.

Reporting to the Assistant Director: Schools and Settings – Sufficiency, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the County Attendance Team, Exclusion Reintegration Team and Alternative Learning Pathways Team.

Your portfolio will span school attendance, children missing education, elective home education, child performance licensing, alternative provision, exclusions and reintegration. You will act as the council’s named officer for the education of children who cannot attend school because of health needs and oversee delivery of its duties under section 19 of the Education Act 1996.

You will work with school leaders to improve attendance and prevent exclusions, assure the quality and impact of commissioned alternative provision, and support team managers to resolve complex educational access challenges. You will advise senior leaders and elected members, use performance evidence to drive improvement and work with partners to strengthen reintegration pathways.

You will lead delivery of alternative provision elements of the council’s SEND Reform Plan, that strengthens early intervention, inclusion and access to timely support within local communities. Alongside this improvement work, you will maintain a clear focus on safeguarding, statutory compliance and the quality of day-to-day delivery.

Partnership working sits at the heart of the role. You will build trusted relationships with schools, academy trusts, alternative providers, health, social care and wider partners, ensuring that children, young people and families help shape services and improvements.

You will be accountable for financial planning, commissioning and effective resource management across a substantial service portfolio. You will use evidence, professional judgement and performance insight to improve outcomes, demonstrate value for money and support sustainable delivery.

About you

You will bring substantial senior leadership experience and a strong understanding of educational access, attendance and inclusion. You will hold a degree or equivalent professional qualification, alongside a management qualification or equivalent experience.

You will understand the legislation, statutory guidance and responsibilities relevant to this service and be able to translate them into clear operational practice and strategic direction. You will be confident navigating complex issues, exercising sound professional judgement and maintaining a strong focus on safeguarding and equitable outcomes.

We are looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will have experience of leading multiple teams, improve services and manage budgets, with the ability to balance immediate operational demands against longer-term priorities. You will use data, insight and quality assurance to identify risks, understand barriers and drive measurable improvement.

You will also be a confident communicator and effective partnership builder, able to influence senior stakeholders, manage competing priorities and bring people together around shared goals. You will understand the importance of working constructively with schools and providers while offering appropriate support and challenge.

Just as importantly, you will be an inclusive and collaborative leader who develops people, builds trust and creates a culture of accountability and continuous learning. You will listen to different perspectives, remain effective through uncertainty and keep the experiences of children, young people and families at the centre of your decisions.

If you are excited by the opportunity to improve educational access, strengthen attendance and shape high-quality alternative education across Oxfordshire, we would love to hear from you.

Rewards and benefits

Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).

Option to buy additional holiday. 

A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Flexible working.

Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24x7.

Range of family-friendly policies.

Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.

Excellent learning and development opportunities.

Closing date for this role is Monday 16th November 2026. 

Interviews will be held, in person, at County Hall on the following dates: Wednesday 25th November & Thursday 26th November. 

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

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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