At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Council in ensuring compliance with Personal Education Plans for Looked After Children.
- Company: Join Oldham Council, dedicated to vibrant communities and impactful change.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension scheme, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible working options and inclusive recruitment practices available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with educational needs of children in care and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Education, Early Years and Skills
Virtual School
PEP (Personal Education Plan) and Finance Officer
Ref:
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £28,598 to £31,022 per annum (Grade 4)
Hours: 36.66 per week hybrid plus any flexible working options available)
Location: Council Offices, Spindles Shopping Centre, George St, Oldham OL1 1HD
Closing Date: Wednesday 23 September 2025
Interview Date: TBC
Hiring Manager Contact Details: Sarah Reddy –
CV Upload: No
Role Overview:
To support the maintenance of an effective and efficient system to ensure that the Council are fully compliant with Statutory Guidance and best practice relating to Personal Education Plans for Looked After Children. To support the Quality Assurance process relating to Personal Education Plans. To support the operational transactional needs of the Virtual School in terms of payment of pupil premium money, processing of orders and invoices and reconciling petty cash.
Key Responsibilities:
- To ensure that PEP meetings and reviews are scheduled and completed within statutory timescales, maintaining an accurate database of such information.
- To ensure that each PEP is Quality Assured on completion and provide a clear and timely feedback to schools and colleges through the ePEP system.
- To liaise appropriately and effectively with Social Workers, Schools and officers from other service areas and ensure that effective working relationships are maintained.
- To support the operational transactional needs of the Virtual School in terms of payment of pupil premium money, processing of orders and invoices and reconciling petty cash.
Key Requirements:
- Experience of and an understanding of the educational needs of children who are in care and the skills to work with a range of professionals to ensure these needs are identified and met through effective quality assurance of plans
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required to advise and support partners, with confidence to challenge where appropriate
- Excellent organisational and IT skills will be needed to monitor and maintain core information and finance systems with the ability to produce concise data and reports
The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS.
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the \’About You\’ or \’Supporting Statement\’ section of your application.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
About Us:
We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We\’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:
A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.
We\’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.
Our Values and Behaviours:
By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are \’Proud, Ambitious, and Together\’, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.
We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:
- Work with a resident focus
- Support local leaders
- Committed to the borough
- Delivery high performance
- Take ownership and drive change
You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our Oldham page
Our Benefits Package:
At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:
- 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years\’ service
- The option to purchase additional annual leave.
- An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
- Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
- Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
- Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
- Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
- Staff recognition and celebration events.
- Peer support groups
Inclusive Recruitment:
We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.
If you\’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer or someone who has served in the Armed Forces and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under ourGuaranteed Assessment Scheme.
Data and Privacy:
For details of how we use your data please see our privacy notice.
Important Information:
Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.
While we embrace the use of AI as an innovative tool to maximise our services at Oldham Council, we are looking for authenticity in applications we receive. We therefore ask you to think carefully if choosing to use AI when completing your application and ask that you ensure you read all instructions carefully and that your application is written by you and reflects your skills, knowledge and enthusiasm.
PEP and Finance Officer employer: Oldham Council
Contact Detail:
Oldham Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PEP and Finance Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the role of PEP and Finance Officer. Attend local events or join online forums where you can chat with professionals who might have insights or even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Council's values and missions. Show us how your skills align with their goals, especially around supporting Looked After Children. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience in quality assurance and communication.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on articulating your understanding of the educational needs of children in care and how you can contribute to the Virtual School’s operational needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to a great place to live and work.
We think you need these skills to ace PEP and Finance Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of PEP and Finance Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in communication, organisation, and IT can contribute to our mission. Give specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar tasks in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your sentences are easy to read and your main points stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and allows you to easily track your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oldham Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the ins and outs of Personal Education Plans (PEPs) and the specific needs of looked after children. Brush up on relevant statutory guidance and best practices, as this will show your commitment to the role and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be liaising with various professionals, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles, especially when challenging situations arose. This will demonstrate your interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relationships.
✨Organisational Skills Matter
Be ready to discuss how you manage your time and keep track of multiple tasks, like scheduling PEP meetings and processing payments. Bring examples of tools or methods you use to stay organised, as this is crucial for the operational needs of the Virtual School.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Oldham Council's values and behaviours. Think about how your personal values align with theirs, particularly around community focus and driving change. Be prepared to share how you embody these values in your work, as cultural fit is often just as important as skills.