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- Tasks: Support vulnerable children in education, manage caseloads, and advocate for their needs.
- Company: Join Hillingdon Council, dedicated to improving lives and fostering a diverse workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous holidays, mental health support, and discounts on leisure activities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable children, strong communication skills, and attention to detail required.
- Other info: Guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities; apply early due to high demand.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
About the role
Reporting to the Virtual School Senior Practitioner, you will play a key part in raising the attainment and supporting the progress of children known to Social Care, both within and outside the borough.
You\’ll hold a caseload of children and young people (Nursery to age 18), tracking their educational journeys, supporting Personal Education Plans (PEPs), and contributing to the development of policies, procedures, and enrichment activities.
Key Responsibilities:
Track attainment and progress for a caseload of Cared For Children, intervening directly to resolve education-related challenges.
Lead and record PEP meetings, ensuring high-quality plans and timely completion.
Provide advice, guidance, and advocacy to schools, social workers, carers, and other professionals.
Contribute to the development and delivery of training for colleagues and partners.
Support the enrichment and extra-curricular offer for children known to Social Care.
Build and maintain effective relationships with agencies in and out of borough to ensure joined-up services.
Support the ongoing development of the Hillingdon Virtual School and its service offer.
What We\’re Looking For:
Degree level or equivalent experience within the UK education system (minimum one year), or comparable overseas experience.
Recent experience working with vulnerable children or young people, including those with SEND and/or EAL.
Knowledge of the barriers faced by Cared For Children and Care Leavers, and the ability to deliver successful interventions.
Strong communication, organisational, and partnership working skills.
Ability to work flexibly, including early mornings and evenings, and willingness to travel to educational establishments as required.
Commitment to the Council\’s vision of \’putting our residents first\’ and to promoting high aspirations for children known to Social Care.
How To Apply
To express your interest, please submit a short statement (max 500 words) outlining your suitability for the role, referencing the person specification. Applications are open to current team members only.
Please note: Interviews will take place on 21st November 2025.
About You
About us
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Here\’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation\’s success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a \’per application\’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:
Enhanced DBS Check
Qualifications Check
5 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Virtual School Officer employer: London Borough of Hillingdon
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Hillingdon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Virtual School Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of Looked After Children and care leavers. Understanding their unique challenges will help you demonstrate your commitment to supporting these vulnerable groups during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in social care and education sectors. Building relationships with those already working in similar roles can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with data systems and record-keeping. Be ready to share examples of how you've used data to track progress and improve outcomes for children in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your advocacy skills by preparing scenarios where you've successfully represented the interests of children or vulnerable individuals. This will highlight your ability to navigate key education meetings effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Virtual School Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience working with vulnerable children in education or social care. Emphasise your advocacy, communication, and relationship-building skills, as these are crucial for the Virtual School Officer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you are passionate about supporting Looked After Children and how your proactive approach can contribute to improving their educational outcomes. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your organisational skills and attention to detail in your application. Mention any experience you have with data systems and record-keeping, as accuracy is essential for this position.
Show Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Reflect on your understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion in your application. Share any experiences that demonstrate your commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all children and young people.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Hillingdon
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Virtual School Officer. Familiarise yourself with the needs of Looked After Children and how to effectively support their education. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience working with vulnerable children in education or social care. Highlight specific examples where you've made a positive impact, as this will show your capability and passion for the role.
✨Demonstrate Advocacy Skills
Since advocacy is a key part of the role, be ready to share instances where you've successfully advocated for a child or young person. Discuss your approach to building relationships with schools, carers, and other professionals, as this will illustrate your communication skills.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions prepared to ask at the end of the interview. This shows your interest in the position and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values, especially regarding their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
