Virtual School Education Officer

To work with the Virtual School team to create and support a culture of high aspiration and opportunity for Looked After Children, promoting the role of the Council as the Corporate Parent. 3. Operational Service Delivery • To hold a caseload of Looked After Children aged 2 – 18 and track their attainment and progress. • To intervene directly with Looked After Children, their parents, carers and relevant professionals; to identify and resolve education-related difficulties. • To lead and record Personal Education Plan meetings for Looked After Children as appropriate according to statutory guidance and Hillingdon policy. • To contribute to the Education Section of Pathway Plans for those Care Leavers remaining in education between 18 and 25 years old • To make Personal Education Plans available for LAC Reviews and Pathway Planning • To provide information, advice and guidance to schools and other professionals relating to the education of children known to Social Care • To attend school admissions, exclusion and other professionals’ meetings to advocate for individual Looked After Children • To make efficient use of the eGov Solutions system, ensure all information and data entered is absolutely accurate and contribute to improvement of this system. Advice & Guidance • To be fully conversant with current legislation and research relating to children known to Social Care • To provide effective advocacy for children known to Social Care • To raise the profile of the needs of children known to Social Care within education and social services • To advise teaching and other education staff about the needs of children known to Social Care 4. Service Planning & Development • To maintain and develop effective working relationships with stakeholders and clients, ensuring that the council’s interests are protected and ensuring value for money in all transactions. • To contribute to service developments • To provide advice to social workers and the Placement Service on appropriate education provision before a care placement is agreed. • To ensure that Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are completed within statutory timescales and assist social workers and designated teachers with developing high-quality PEPs for all Looked After Children. • To work directly and indirectly with professionals, students and families in meeting agreed individual performance targets (i.e., attainment, attendance, exclusions). • Any other role specific responsibilities 5. Financial & Resource Management • To provide support to the Headteacher of Hillingdon Virtual School to provide value for money services within the budget allocation. • To demonstrate cost-consciousness and identify any cost-effective changes to own way of working. • Any additional role specific responsibilities. 6. Continuous Improvement • To identify and suggest any improvements to current ways of working in order to deliver a more efficient and effective service for customers. • Any additional role specific responsibilities 7. Contacts • Primary contact will be with other officers within the Council, Service users, Schools and Operational and Managerial staff in partner organisations, other statutory services and Authorities, voluntary and independent sector. 8. Additional Responsibilities • Complete other reasonable tasks in order to fulfil the role purpose or as instructed by management. 9. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS • Completion and monitoring of quality PEPs for own caseload of Looked After Children. Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS: Degree Level or equivalent – Essential Qualified Teacher status – Desirable Post graduate qualification in education/research related to working with vulnerable children or in multi-agency settings – Desirable STATUTORY or ROLE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS Full and valid driving licence – Desirable EXPERIENCE A minimum of 1 years’ experience of working within the UK education system or a minimum of working for 1 year in a virtual school or education support service or comparable overseas experience – Essential Demonstrates recent experience of working with vulnerable children or young people including those with Special Educational Needs and/or English as an Additional Language – Essential KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Has knowledge and understanding of key issues in regard to the education of Looked After Children and Care Leavers, including barriers to learning and ways in which to overcome them – Essential Technical knowledge of health & safety – Essential Demonstrates technical knowledge of Microsoft packages including Word, Excel and Access to intermediate level – Essential Good research skills in regard to all matters pertaining to education, training and apprenticeships – Essential Ability to understand data management systems. – Essential Demonstrates sound working. – Essential knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection processes. – Essential Knowledge of multi-agency working and an ability to work in partnership with a range of professionals. – Essential Ability to undertake direct work with children and young people in their education settings. – Essential

For more information, please contact Simone at Social Care Locums.