Child Licensing & CME Officer

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

We are seeking a dedicated and highly organised Child Licensing and Children Missing Education (CME) Officer to join our Attendance Team with the Access, Inclusion and Participation Service. Reporting to the Attendance Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring children’s safety, welfare, and access to education across Lewisham.

In this varied and rewarding role, you will lead the coordination and quality assurance of child performance and employment licensing, including chaperone licences, BOPAs and Child Employment permits. You will act as the primary contact for families, schools, production companies, and partner agencies, providing expert advice on legislation, safeguarding, and compliance.

You will also take a lead role in delivering the local authority’s statutory duties relating to Children Missing Education (CME) and Children Missing Out on Education (CMOE)—managing complex caseloads, analysing data, conducting enquiries, and working collaboratively to ensure every child receives their full educational entitlement.

If you are passionate about children’s rights, safeguarding, and ensuring every child has access to education, we would love to hear from you.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday allowance

• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, sound safeguarding judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment. We are looking for someone with experience in education, safeguarding, regulatory work, or local authority services. Previous experience in this role would be an advantage

The job is primarily based in in Laurence House , but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

• Able to deal sensitively, calmly and professionally with children, families and professionals while maintaining confidentiality.
• Resilient, adaptable and able to work under pressure with sound judgement.
• Commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of children.
• Ability to work occasionally in the evenings and weekends when required (e.g. urgent CME enquiries, licensing deadlines, or site visits).

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CV’s.

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Emma Stubbington, Attendance Manager: emma.stubbington@lewisham.gov.uk 07877 465 987.

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£44,235 - £45,852 per annum (PO1)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email LewishamWorks@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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