Fair Access Officer - Information

The Opportunity

Salary: NJC Grade 8, £32,597 to £35,412 per annum

Pro rata salary: £22,567 to £24,516 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: 29.6 hours per week, part-time, 4 days a week, Term Time Only 39 weeks

Location: Your current work base is Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton. The use of Arun Civic Centre is currently initially expected to be in place for three years to April 2029. The substantive hub for your service is Worthing and therefore, there is the potential for services to relocate to Worthing in the future.

Please note:

• There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.
• You will be able to travel independently throughout the county to areas that may not be accessible by public transport.
• You will be able to attend meetings that may fall outside of core working hours from time-to-time.

Closing date: 15 April 2026

Interview date: 22 April 2026

Do you enjoy analysing and interpreting information?

Do you have experience of school or business administration?

As a Fair Access Officer - Performance and Information, you will be responsible for providing a performance management information service. You will support business decisions and business planning, keeping detailed records and maintaining the Fair Access Team's databases.

The work within this role is varied, including:

• Liaising with colleagues across Education and Skills, agencies, and other local authorities to collect and provide information, data, and advice.
• Supporting the Fair Access Manager with preparing and submitting data returns.
• Managing the distribution of funds to and from schools, including transport requests for commissioned places.
• Completing semi-routine and bespoke correspondence file notes, report checking, and statements.

Our team is passionate and dedicated to positive outcomes for young people. As a team member you will demonstrate strong communication skills, commitment, ability to prioritise, make decisions, problem solve, all with due regard to statutory guidance.

About You

We are looking for someone who can analyse and interpret complex data and information, and who enjoys problem solving and identifying solutions. You will need accuracy and confidentiality when handling and processing information.

You will have personal resilience and professionalism, whilst being able to organise your own workload, respond to unexpected situations appropriately, and make decisions using recognised guidelines.

Please refer to the key skills below in your cover letter as these will be used for shortlisting criteria.

Key Skills:

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in order to effectively exchange complicated or sensitive information.
2. Highly computer literate with sound and accurate IT skills using a range of systems and software packages in order to manipulate data and produce reports.
3. Sound problem solving skills with ability to use own initiative to analyse complex issues and identify solutions.
4. Excellent analytical and report writing skills with the ability to present management and information in a logical and understandable format with minimal guidance.
5. Ability to work as part of a team and to have a flexible and adaptable approach to working to varied tasks and subject areas.

Essential Experience:

• Degree level, or equivalent, qualification or equivalent level of significant experience which demonstrates that level of applied knowledge in researching, analysing and evaluating arguments and information.
• Relevant theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of systems, policies and practices associated with operating the service.
• Extensive experience of using information systems and reporting tools.
• Experience of competently handling a full caseload of varying subjects without supervision and providing robust and professional advice.

For more information on the Key Skills, Qualifications and/or Experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.

About Us

The West Sussex County Council Education and Skills department delivers the County Council's statutory and strategic duties in relation to education through working in partnership with other council services, school leaders, sponsors, Trusts, and Diocesan leads.

The Fair Access Team sit within the wider SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and Inclusion Special Advisory Teaching Service, carrying out all statutory and strategic functions relating to children and young people who have been excluded from school, are at risk of exclusion, or have a health need which prevents them from attending school.

The team ensures the County Council's functions, relating to exclusion from schools, are delivered and supported by stakeholders and independent providers. This ensures that West Sussex has a full range of alternative educational provision available to best support its learners.

Additionally, the team are responsible for managing the West Sussex Fair Access Protocol (FAP), and the placement of any pupils who meet FAP criteria.

Benefits

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and are rewarded for the work they do.

For a full list this can be found at our Rewards and Benefits page.

Upon joining us you will have access to a range of benefits including the following:

Employer Pension Contribution: 18.70% (this alters per annum on the 1 April each year).

Annual leave: 27 days holiday + Bank Holidays = 35days

How to Apply

The reference number for this role is CAFHE06199

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Carina Reid, Team Manager, at

To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and Cover Letter.

In your cover letter please outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

Further Information

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, five years referencing, and an occupational health check.

Equity, inclusion, and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact Natalie Greene, Recruitment Specialist, at