Job Description

Salary: £31,537- £33,699 pro rata

Hours per week: 22.2 hours

Temporary/Fixed term: 12 months

Interview date: 19 June 2026

We have a unique opportunity for a Section 19 / Children Absent From Education (CAFE) Coordinator to join our dedicated team in the Targeted Education Service!

As a Section 19 / CAFE Coordinator, you will work in collaboration with families and professionals to assist the local authority in meeting its statutory duties under section 19 of the Education Act 1996 including through arranging appropriate education for children unable to attend school where the local authority determines it has a section 19 duty. You will serve as the main contact between families, schools, and our alternative education providers to ensure smooth, effective communication.

In this rewarding role, you will liaise with the section 19 chair and panel members to set the panel agenda each week, record panel responses, discussions and actions within the EYES function of the Liquid Logic system and provide reports and documentation to the section 19 chair as required. You will also set the Children Absent From Education (CAFE) sub-group agenda each week, record responses, discussions and actions of the CAFE sub-groups. Your responsibilities will also include liaising with and advising professionals to ensure CAFE actions are completed in a timely manager in line with statutory timeframes.

Our ideal candidate will hold a HNC / NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in a relevant subject area or have equivalent demonstrable skills and experience. You will have proven experience working within a local authority setting and have a solid understanding of the role of the Education and Skills services in supporting educational outcomes for children and young people. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ICT skills and literacy and numeracy skills, alongside highly developed interpersonal skills to establish and create relationships with a range of stakeholders, will be essential. You will be required to hold, or be commitment to undertaking, relevant safeguarding training for this role.

The role requires hybrid working through working from home and at County Hall Trowbridge as the base for work (or our other Wiltshire hubs in Chippenham or Salisbury). All section 19 panels and CAFE sub-groups take place remotely via TEAMS.

Why us?

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here

Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.

We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.

Contact details

John Spring, Head of Targeted Education, at john.spring@wiltshire.gov.uk

Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.

Application criteria

Please download and read the and person specification carefully before you apply.

We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.

We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.

Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion

Disability Confident Employer

Application process

Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).

Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.

Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.