Virtual School Engagment Officer

Role Overview

Term Time only plus 10 days (B7) fixed term contract ending 31st March 2029. Employment location:
Virtual School, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland County Council. The council seeks an enthusiastic and highly motivated Virtual School Engagement Officer to support cared for children and care leavers who have experienced disruption to their education.

The position supports the Virtual School Headteacher’s extended duties to promote educational achievement for children with a social worker, those in kinship care, and previously cared for children. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with schools, children’s social care teams, carers and young people to raise educational standards, promote inclusion and wellbeing, and improve outcomes for care‑experienced children and young people.

• Work strategically with schools and settings to promote the education of cared for children through the development of policies and practices that improve attendance, strengthen relational approaches and promote inclusion.
• Provide both supporting and constructively challenging practice where approaches are not applied consistently or effectively.
• Build positive and productive relationships with school leaders, children’s social care colleagues, carers and young people.
• Participate in line management duties.

• Experience of working within education, social care or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the barriers that can affect educational engagement and achievement.
• Commitment to helping children and young people overcome these barriers to reach their full potential.
• Confidence and ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams.

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees).
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees).

Northumberland County Council is an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. All applicants will be treated with confidentiality and fairness.