EDUC - Data Analyst

Service: Support Services
Grade scale: Grade 4 Level 2-5
Reports to: Support Services Co-ordinator

Purpose of the job

To support strategic planning, performance improvement, and policy development across Education Resources by synthesising and analysing large volumes of complex educational data. The postholder will contribute to South Lanarkshire Council’s improvement agenda, national expectations around data use and targeted initiatives such as closing the poverty-related attainment gap and maximising the impact of targeted funding.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Synthesise and analyse large, complex datasets to support strategic decision-making and service improvement.

Provide data insights to inform:

• Education Resources Improvement Plan
• Children’s Services Plan
• Pupil Equity Funding and Strategic Equity Funding
• Care Experienced Children and Young People Funding
• ASL funding allocations and impact reporting
• The Promise and Child Protection Committees

Develop and maintain dashboards and visual tools (Power BI) to present data in accessible formats for senior leaders, schools, and partners.

Provide professional statistical advice and communicate findings clearly to non-specialist audiences.

Lead and support self-evaluation activities at service and school level, including attainment and performance analysis.

Represent the council at national forums (SEEMiS, Scottish Government, Education Scotland).

Respond to FOI and audit requests, ensuring compliance with GDPR and other legislation.

Initiate and lead data development projects, including those focused on improving pupil attendance, equity, and outcomes.

Identify and implement improvements to data quality, reliability, and timeliness.

Collaborate with internal and external partners (NHS, HSCP, Scottish Government) to support shared objectives and reporting requirements.

Contribute to the council’s strategic priorities in education, including closing the poverty-related attainment gap and improving outcomes for children and young people.

Person specification

Safer recruitment checks

As part of our approach to good practice and safer recruitment we carry out a number of pre-employment checks

• Asylum and Immigration right to work in the UK
• Reference check: external candidates require 2 references, one of which must be from present or most recent employer; Internal candidates require 1 reference from current line manager
• Candidate Disclosure Scotland check, where applicable

Behaviour framework

The council’s behaviour framework is a set of core behaviours that defines how employees approach work to enable the delivery of key tasks for the role. The expected behaviours for this role are:

Efficient

• Use initiative and drive to improve and develop systems and processes to increase efficiency achieving better outcomes in service delivery
• Suggests ways to improve how others organise their own work
• As a manager or professional expert, you actively seek solutions to deliver improvements and involves others in the development of solutions and improvements
• Agrees SMART objectives for both team and individual employees reviewing progress to achieve successful outcomes
• Manage budgets with no overspends and applying the council’s financial policies and procedures
• Ensures sustainability and environmental awareness practices are being implemented and that they inform the development of new projects and initiatives

Flexible

• Anticipates and responds flexibly to changing priorities and modifies practice to meet changing environment
• Identifies and implements new ways of working
• Supports individuals and team at times of both organisational and personal change making appropriate adjustments to accommodate individual needs where required
• Expresses a positive approach to change and promotes the benefits of change to team and colleagues
• Actively listens to customer feedback and takes action to improve customer experience

Performing

• Use professional expertise and knowledge to ensure the council is leading best practice to improve outcomes
• Ensure that the council is meeting it’s legislative and statutory requirements by keeping abreast of new initiatives and legislation
• Evaluates and reviews the impact of service improvements from the customers perspective
• Identifies trends and creates solutions
• Ensuring that health and safety practices, policies and procedures are applied keeping employees and customers safe and minimising workplace accidents and injuries
• Implements the council’s maximising attendance policy and procedure ensuring action is taken and recorded on people connect
• Considers risk in the context of service development and delivery

Working with others

• Promotes a positive team environment with good morale
• Works with other teams and colleagues internally and externally, developing relationships and sharing knowledge, ideas and expertise to achieve outcomes
• Provide objective and constructive advice and support if tensions arise
• Shares knowledge with internal and external colleagues to achieve common objectives
• Giving praise and recognition for good work
• Use professional identity and expert knowledge to work across disciplines breaking down professional barriers to improve outcomes for individuals and communities
• Encourages colleagues to consider different perspectives in their work
• Adapts communication to encourage desired behaviour

Leading

• Understands what needs to be achieved and ensures that this is communicated to team members
• Expresses positive expectations of others to support their development
• Recognise individual and team achievements thanking and praising others
• Maintain a positive approach and motivate team when things go wrong, or demands are high
• You identify talent and provide opportunities for those individuals who wish to progress or learn new skills
• Takes responsibility for personal and team development needs taking account of learning styles and available learning and training methods of delivery
• Uses professional judgement and expert knowledge to make informed decisions