At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people and ensure they thrive in education.
- Company: Join RNN Group, a dedicated team focused on student support.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and wellness support.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of care-experienced learners.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable youth and relevant qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 29455 - 29455 £ per year.
Location: Working across all of our sites (Dearne Valley College, Rotherham College and North Notts College) in Rotherham and Worksop
Salary: £29,455 a year + benefits
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full time (37 hours each week, all year-round)
Closing Date: 08th of June 2026
About the Role
Are you a passionate advocate for vulnerable young people? Do you have the drive to break down barriers to education and help care-experienced learners thrive? RNN Group is looking for a Designated Lead (LAC and Care Leaver) to join our dedicated Student Support team. This is a pivotal, highly rewarding role where you will discharge the Group’s statutory responsibilities for our care-experienced learners. Acting as the primary point of contact for multi-agency support, you will ensure that Looked After Children (LAC)—including unaccompanied asylum seekers—Care Leavers (CL), and Previously Looked After Children receive high-quality, inclusive education. You will be the dedicated advocate and bridge connecting students, curriculum teams, and external agencies to ensure these learners are fully integrated into the College community, make exceptional progress, and successfully transition into employment or higher education.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
- Statutory Compliance: Ensure RNN Group remains compliant with all DfE guidance and statutory duties, serving as the lead operational contact for multi-agency support.
- ePEP Coordination: Schedule, chair, and complete electronic Personal Education Plans (ePEPs), ensuring all documentation is submitted within strict statutory deadlines.
- Tracking & Monitoring: Proactively monitor the attendance, retention, achievement, and progress of vulnerable students, including collecting destination data.
- Attendance Intervention: Operate a robust attendance monitoring system, contacting students and support networks early to implement rapid intervention strategies.
- Reporting: Prepare comprehensive termly and annual reports for college committees and the Leadership Team regarding student performance and unmet needs.
As our Designated Lead, your ultimate goal is to promote the educational achievement and well-being of our students by:
- Promoting Educational Achievement: Providing targeted pastoral support, mentoring, and advocacy so care-experienced learners achieve on par with their peers.
- Embedding Trauma-Informed Practice: Providing expert advice and guidance to curriculum colleagues on trauma-informed strategies to support individual students.
- Fostering Aspiration: Cultivating an environment where vulnerable learners believe they can succeed, encouraging progression into higher education and sustainable careers.
- Ensuring Emotional Support: Acting as—or facilitating access to—an "Emotionally Available Adult," offering the stability students need to engage with their learning.
- Continuous Service Improvement: Working collaboratively with the Head of Student Support and the wider Welfare team to constantly elevate our pastoral service.
The Challenges You'll Tackle
This role is incredibly rewarding, but it requires resilience and excellent organizational skills. You will need to successfully navigate:
- Balancing Demands: Managing intensive, daily face-to-face operational student support alongside rigorous statutory deadlines and ePEP paperwork.
- Information Management: Retaining a deep, evolving knowledge of various courses, legislative updates, and external agency offerings.
- Engagement: Building deep trust and maintaining high expectations with learners who may have complex trauma backgrounds or significant barriers to engagement.
You will…
Be experienced within learner support strategies, working with vulnerable young people specifically ‘looked after children’, ‘care leavers’ and ‘young carers’ to develop positive support strategies, to motivate and inspire others to overcome barriers and succeed. You will be able to work with others both internally and externally through partnership development. You will have strong safeguarding experience, knowledge and be able to manage cases to signpost and offer support to learners. You will hold a Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification in English and Maths (or be willing to undertake), a level 3 (or equivalent) qualification in health and social care, youth work or social studies. Having a Level 3 (or higher) teaching qualification would be advantageous.
Our excellent benefits and rewards package:
- Access to local government pension scheme (with employer contributions from 15.6%)
- Up to 41 days annual leave per year including closure during Christmas period
- Access to our gyms, restaurants and salons
- Staff health & wellbeing and benefits schemes including in-house Occupational Health service
- Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
- Full, part time and flexible working hours available in many roles
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for RNN Group, please proceed through the following link to be redirected to their website to complete your application.
Designated Lead (Looked After Children and Care Leavers) - Rotherham in Hazelwood employer: RNN Group
RNN Group is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both staff and students. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer generous benefits such as access to a local government pension scheme, extensive annual leave, and comprehensive health support. Our commitment to professional development ensures that employees have ample opportunities for growth while making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable young people in Rotherham and Worksop.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designated Lead (Looked After Children and Care Leavers) - Rotherham in Hazelwood
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those who work with looked after children and care leavers. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn more about the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching RNN Group and their approach to supporting vulnerable learners. Think about how your experiences align with their mission and be ready to share specific examples of your past work.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! In your conversations and interviews, express your commitment to advocating for care-experienced learners. Share stories that highlight your dedication and understanding of the challenges they face.
✨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 RNN Group team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Designated Lead (Looked After Children and Care Leavers) - Rotherham in Hazelwood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting vulnerable young people shine through. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to advocate for care-experienced learners.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Designated Lead. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description, like your knowledge of statutory compliance and multi-agency support.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us easily understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our dedicated Student Support team.
How to prepare for a job interview at RNN Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specific needs of looked after children and care leavers. Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and best practices, as this will show your commitment to the role and your understanding of the challenges these young people face.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about advocacy and support for vulnerable young people. Be ready to share personal experiences or stories that highlight your passion for helping others. Employers love to see genuine enthusiasm and a strong desire to make a difference.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations involving students with complex needs. Think through potential scenarios in advance and prepare your responses, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to build trust with students.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the support systems in place for staff, or how the college measures success for its looked after children. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but also in the organisation’s values and goals.
