At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people and ensure they thrive in education.
- Company: Join RNN Group, a passionate advocate for care-experienced learners.
- 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 looked after children and care leavers.
- 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.
- Be able to work with others both internally and externally through partnership development.
- Have strong safeguarding experience, knowledge and be able to manage cases to signpost and offer support to learners.
- 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 Pott Shrigley 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 Pott Shrigley
✨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 experience aligns with their mission and be ready to share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! In your conversations and interviews, let your enthusiasm for advocating for young people shine through. Share stories that highlight your commitment to helping care-experienced learners thrive.
✨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 real impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Designated Lead (Looked After Children and Care Leavers) - Rotherham in Pott Shrigley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for supporting vulnerable young people right from the start. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to advocate for care-experienced learners.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and long-winded sentences. Make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at RNN Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the statutory responsibilities and support strategies for looked after children and care leavers. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices, so you can confidently discuss how you would ensure compliance and advocate for these vulnerable learners.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about making a difference in the lives of young people. Be ready to share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to supporting vulnerable learners. Let your passion shine through during the interview!
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like managing attendance issues or coordinating multi-agency support. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated similar challenges and be ready to discuss them.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how the college measures success for its looked after children. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
