Virtual School Education Support Officer

Education Support Officer
Band 5 – full time, fixed term for one year in the first instance

Northumberland County Council is recruiting an enthusiastic and motivated Education Support Officer to join our multi‑disciplinary Virtual School. In this role you will support the education of children in care and care leavers working with schools, education settings and care teams to ensure high‑quality personal education plans (PEP) are in place within statutory timescales. You will oversee children in year 11, both in and out of authority, who may have complex behavioural difficulties, SEND or attendance issues, supporting them to attend education, prepare for exams and progress into year 12 and into employment training (EET).

The role involves monitoring and promoting attainment, using pupil premium plus as required, and working closely with schools to challenge and provide 1:1 mentoring, behaviour support, attendance support and therapeutic interventions (e.g. Thrive, Lego therapy).

• Support care teams and designated teachers in creating stable learning environments.

• Break down barriers and provide professional challenge to help children in care achieve their best.

• Monitor attainment and progress, ensuring the effective use of PP+.

• Work directly with children, providing 1:1 support, mentoring, behaviour and attendance support, and delivering therapeutic interventions.

Experience of working with children and young people in Key Stage 4/5 is essential.

Location:

Virtual School, County Hall, Morpeth
Fixed term for one year initially

For an informal discussion, please contact Shelley Wilson, Lead Education Support Officer, .

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5years 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)

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. For those who require an alternative application format, we provide options such as British Sign Language, text relay service and other accessibility arrangements. This information will be treated as confidential and used only to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.