Home Education Link Officer

Derbyshire County Council is seeking a dedicated and child‑centred practitioner to join our experienced Elective Home Education (EHE) Team, representing the local authority in the district of Chesterfield. This is an important role, supporting a diverse and growing number of Derbyshire families who elect to home‑educate their children. You will help ensure children and young people are receiving a suitable education – providing professional guidance and reassurance to parents and carers.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and build on positive respectful relationships with Derbyshire families who choose home education.
• Provide advice and contribute to statutory duties as set out in national DfE EHE guidance.
• Conduct contact with parents via telephone or Teams calls, responses to parental reports or, if appropriate, home visits – regarding each child’s educational provision.
• Maintain clear, accurate and timely records on Derbyshire’s systems.
• Identify support needs and signpost families to relevant services and resources.
• Promote wellbeing through continuing development of knowledge, skills and understanding regarding safeguarding.
• Contribute to the continued development and good practice of the EHE Team and Children’s Services.
• Work collaboratively with parents, schools and learning providers, SEND and CME colleagues, social care and health services – alongside other DCC and external partners.

About You

• Empathetic and child‑focused – with strong commitment to improving outcomes.
• A confident communicator – working with a wide range of families/professionals.
• Organised and self‑motivated – able to manage a busy and demanding caseload.
• Able to determine educational provision – producing balanced, accurate reports.
• Well-informed – especially in multi-agency partnership and information‑sharing.
• Composed and resilient – particularly when in complex and sensitive situations.
• Ability to demonstrate transferable skills – we welcome applicants with a range of backgrounds and will provide extensive induction.

Our EHE team has a culture of fairness and reflective practice, firmly rooted in every child’s entitlement to education and wellbeing. We offer hybrid working subject to service need – there will be an opportunity to discuss arrangements at interview.

Join us and help shape the future of EHE provision in Derbyshire, especially considering the new Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.

Provisional Interview Date: 1 December 2026

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be subject to service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.