Job File

JOB FILE: Policy officer for children’s
services at The Education Network (TEN), which supports local
education authorities. The network is part of the Local Government
Information Unit, a policy and research think-tank.

Who’s doing it? Fiona Denman.

Job description: I prepare briefings on key
issues relating to children’s services, including new legislation
and fresh initiatives. These go to our members, who are mainly
local authorities. I design and deliver training workshops,
seminars and conferences.

Skills/qualifications needed: I qualified as a
social worker in Australia and also have a degree and MBA.

Pay: £35,000-40,000.

Grade: Principal officer 5 (local authority
grade).

What’s your job like?

I recently joined The Education Network, after seven years as a
social worker in children and family services.

I am part of a team responding to the government’s call for
changes in children’s services. We are evolving from an education
to a children’s services network to reflect the move towards this
new integrated approach.

My role is a newly-created post for a social care
specialist.

Most recently, I have prepared briefings on the Sure Start Plus
pilot and the raft of documents the government released as part of
the Every Child Matters: change for children agenda. We produce a
range of pamphlets and guides for our members and the wider
audience, on subjects including educating gypsy and traveller
pupils and young carers.

The pressures of the job come from tight turnarounds when
producing reports and briefings. Part of the challenge of my job is
emphasising the importance of information about social care to
education professionals.
 

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