Virtual School Education Officer

The Virtual School is a team of experienced teachers and dedicated educational professionals. We promote and support the educational attainment and progress of Northamptonshire's children in care and children previously in care. The Education Officer plays a key role within the Virtual School in promoting and improving the educational outcomes, attendance, attainment and aspirations of children in care and care leavers.

The post provides challenge, advice and support to schools, education settings and partner agencies to ensure statutory duties are met and that children in care receive high-quality educational provision. The role champions the needs and voices of children in care, supports the effective development and quality assurance of Personal Education Plans (PEPs), contributes to the strategic development of the Virtual School, and works collaboratively with professionals to remove barriers to learning and help children fulfil their potential.

What will you be doing? As a Virtual School Education Officer, you will play a key role in improving the educational outcomes, attendance, attainment and aspirations of children in care and care leavers across Northamptonshire. You will work collaboratively with schools, education settings, social care professionals, carers and partner agencies to ensure that children and young people receive high-quality educational support and are able to fulfil their potential.

You will provide support, challenge and professional advice to schools and education settings, helping them to meet their statutory responsibilities and deliver effective provision for children in care and care leavers. You will monitor and quality assure Personal Education Plans (PEPs), ensuring that educational planning is ambitious, child-centred and focused on improving outcomes. You will champion the voice, views and aspirations of children and young people, ensuring these are reflected within educational planning and decision-making.

Working closely with professionals and carers, you will identify and help remove barriers to learning, engagement and progression. You will develop positive relationships with schools, carers, social workers and partner agencies, promoting best practice and driving improvements in educational achievement, attendance and wellbeing. You will also contribute to projects, interventions and enrichment opportunities designed to enhance educational engagement and support successful transitions into post-16 education, employment and training.

In addition, you will design and deliver training, advice and guidance to professionals, sharing effective practice and increasing understanding of the educational needs of children in care, including the impact of attachment and trauma on learning and development. You may also provide leadership and line management support within the Virtual School, contributing to service development and continuous improvement., Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services.

They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are:
Customer-focused Respectful Efficient Supportive Trustworthy Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.
We are looking for a passionate, motivated and solution-focused professional who is committed to improving the life chances of children in care and care leavers. You will have experience of working within education, children's services or a related field and a strong understanding of the factors that influence educational outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.,

• A degree-level qualification or substantial relevant experience supporting vulnerable children and young people within education or related services.
• Significant knowledge of education systems and settings, with the ability to provide effective support, challenge and advice to education professionals.
• Knowledge and understanding of the experiences, needs and entitlements of children in care and care leavers, including the impact of trauma and adversity on learning and development.
• Experience of successfully improving outcomes for vulnerable learners, particularly children in care and care leavers.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with children, carers, social…