Senior Governor Support Officer - Req24620

As a Senior Governor Support Officer you'll thrive on supporting local authority governing bodies and academy trusts through the changing education landscape., As our next Senior Governor Support Officer you'll be involved in training a diverse range of delegates, supporting and developing a team of home based clerks, keeping up to date with governance and legislation changes and producing a range of communication to provide advice to others. The role does involve some evening working and you will be required to clerk some governing board meetings.

The role is integral to the Governor Support Service. We are a well-established team supporting and improving governing boards by providing training, timely communication and a knowledgeable clerking service. Underpinning our work at all times is the commitment to ensuring children in Leeds get the best education and outcomes possible., To provide a full range of support services to school and academy governing boards

Responsibilities

The post holder is specifically responsible for:

Advice

• Accurate, professional, and timely advice is provided on matters relating to the responsibilities and conduct of school and academy governing boards via briefing documents, toolkits, guidance, and direct, individual support for governors, clerks and head teachers


• That advice and support to governors is current, accurate and easily accessible in order that they are supported to fulfil their statutory roles, are strong and effective and understand the city's priorities


• That issues regarding the recruitment, appointment and resignation of governors are dealt with and advice is given on timely election and appointment procedures including the nomination of LA governors


• That advice and support shared with the team, including clerks who are home based, is relevant and effective


Traded Service

• The development and maintenance of the GSS traded services page on Leeds for Learning


• Monitoring the information held on the governor database to ensure it is up to date and compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations


• That governors in Leeds are supported to fulfil their statutory duties and share good practice


• That service income is maximised through service level agreements and other contracts for services


Training

• That the GSS management is supported in providing and delivering a high-quality training and development programme


• That through the training available governing boards are supported and challenged in order to develop strong, accountable governing boards, made up of highly skilled, well-informed, well-trained governors, who ensure statutory duties are met, set a standard of excellence, are focussed on improving teaching and learning and understand the city's priorities for its children and young people.


The range of duties are:

Training

• Plan and deliver high quality training and development sessions for governors and governing boards using a range of media and techniques


• Develop and maintain administrative systems to support and publicise the service's training programmes


• Support the GSS management to deliver a conference and briefings for governors


Advice and support

• Produce effective information and guidance documents for governors, clerks and head teachers.


• Identify governing boards which need additional support and plan and deliver appropriate support and guidance including through reviews of governance, brokered support from National and Local Leaders of Governance and other governing boards


• Develop and maintain a system of governor communications including social media, ensuring new legislation, including policy changes, are communicated


• Support the GSS manager in evaluating courses and providers and to continuously improve the GSS offer


• Support the GSS manager in evaluating the service including through commissioning regular feedback and surveys


• Maintain and update information on the effectiveness of governing bodies


• To participate in training and development opportunities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills


Clerking

• Quality assure the support provided by clerks to governing boards and conduct performance management interviews in accordance with company policies


• To assist in the recruitment and development of clerks


• Liaise effectively with other senior governor support officers, Children and families staff, governors, head teachers and external organisations


• Clerk governing body meetings when required


• Facilitate the establishment Interim Executive Boards (IEBs) including suitable clerking arrangements


Additional duties

• Any other duties as directed


The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Manage information:

• Assimilate complex information


• Offer appropriate advice and information


• Present information for a range of audiences and contexts


• Liaise with others in the organisation


Manage self and resources:

• Use own initiative


• Manage and develop staff


• Produce high quality written guidance materials


Manage projects:

• Recognise needs and prioritise work


• Develop and manage good administrative and organisational systems


• Manage financial systems and produce reports


• Run efficient meetings


• Collate statistical information


Assess requirements and manage people and resources to meet these:

• Communicate effectively in both the written and spoken word


• Promote the highest standards of service delivery


• Meet deadlines


• Present training materials


Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.


• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon


• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.


• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.


• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.


• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.


• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.


• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.


• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.


• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.


• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  As a Senior Governor Support Officer you will bring to the role experience of:


• Producing high quality communications and/or guidance documents


• Offering appropriate advice and information to a range of stakeholders


• Experience of delivering training.


Experience in the education sector or school governance would be an advantage but is not essential, more important is the enthusiasm and commitment to learn and succeed in a new sector. Training will be provided to the successful candidate., Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Good chairing skills


• Calm manner under conflicting demands


• Training skills


The post holder will be expected to have the following knowledge and understanding:

• An understanding of the current issues facing local authorities, local communities and education services


• In-depth understanding of the structure within Children and Families and the schools and organisations who use the service


• An understanding of governing board procedures and regulations
  
  Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
  
  a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays


• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions


• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements


• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities


• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further