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- Tasks: Coordinate training and events to support young people's engagement in education.
- Company: Join Surrey County Council's dynamic Virtual School team in Woking.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, a generous pension, and wellbeing discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in local authority settings and strong project management skills.
- Other info: Flexible working and excellent career development opportunities await you.
The predicted salary is between 30800 - 41000 £ per year.
Location: Victoria Gate, Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 6JD
We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. This role has a starting salary of £36,873 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week. We are hiring a new Participation and Training Officer to join our fantastic Surrey Virtual School team. The team is based in Victoria Gate, Woking but we promote a hybrid approach to working, meeting collaboratively when required in line with our Team Charter. We are proud of our strong focus on development and excellent track record of promoting internally within the council.
Our Offer to You:
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
Surrey Virtual School (SVS) leads the work to improve educational outcomes for children looked after, children previously looked after, those children with a social worker, and those children in kinship care. It collaborates with partners to build a culture of high expectations and aspiration, addressing the barriers these children face in their learning and achievement. Its work is guided by statutory DfE requirements that define duties towards each cohort. Recent expansions to the Virtual School's remit, alongside anticipated duties in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, mean the team must be fully prepared to meet national expectations across all groups. As a result, SVS's training, events and communication function has grown significantly to ensure consistent and high quality support. SVS works with schools, social workers, carers, education services and a wide range of professionals to fulfil its statutory role as educational advocates. The new OFSTED Education Inspection Framework places heightened attention on children known to social care and those facing barriers to learning, further strengthening SVS's commitment to being an ambitious and outstanding Virtual School for all its cohorts.
About the Role:
Within this context, the Participation and Training Officer plays a key role in ensuring that communication, training, projects and events are effectively planned, delivered and continuously improved based on stakeholder evaluation. A central element of the role involves coordinating meaningful participation from children and young people, supporting their engagement in education at every stage. Reporting directly to the Deputy Headteacher for Children with a Social Worker and Training, the postholder will contribute to shaping the Virtual School's expanded responsibilities and professional development programme. The role also includes line management of the SVS Business Administration Apprentice, providing guidance and support to help the Apprentice develop skills, experience and progress toward a professional qualification.
Shortlisting Criteria:
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Proven experience in a fast-paced local authority setting, with the ability to manage and prioritise a busy, deadline driven workload.
- Strong capability in supporting young people or colleagues new to role, demonstrating empathy, adaptability and high expectations.
- Flexible, open-minded and positive approach, consistently role modelling these behaviours to apprentices, team members and partners.
- Effective project management skills, with the ability to navigate challenges and deliver projects through to completion.
- Technical proficiency, including Microsoft Office, data analysis, communications and social media platforms, and supporting/hosting live or in person events.
- Strong understanding of relevant local authority statutory and non-statutory guidance, particularly relating to Virtual Schools' duties, alongside excellent written and verbal communication skills for building strong stakeholder relationships.
To apply, alongside your CV please supply a supporting statement to demonstrate and evidence your suitability for the role.
Contact Us:
Please contact us for any questions relating to role requirements, flexible working requests, transferable skills or barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Michelle Cain by e-mail or on MS Teams. The job advert closes at 23:59 on the 08/02/2026 with interviews to follow. We look forward to receiving your application.
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Participation & Training Officer in Woking employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation & Training Officer in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to colleagues and connections within Surrey County Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights into the role that aren’t in the job description.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Surrey Virtual School's recent projects and initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission of improving educational outcomes.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves engaging with young people and stakeholders, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly will set you apart. Consider mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their applications.
We think you need these skills to ace Participation & Training Officer in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement is tailored to the role of Participation & Training Officer. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with the skills mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our fantastic Surrey Virtual School team!
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Since effective project management is key for this role, don’t forget to include examples of projects you've managed successfully. We love seeing how you navigated challenges and delivered results, so make it clear how you can bring that expertise to us.
Demonstrate Your Empathy and Adaptability: This role involves supporting young people and colleagues, so it's important to showcase your empathy and adaptability. Share specific instances where you've demonstrated these qualities, as they are crucial for building strong relationships within our team and with stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table, so don’t hesitate to hit that apply button!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the Surrey Virtual School's mission and recent developments. Brush up on relevant local authority guidance, especially around Virtual Schools' duties. This will show that you’re genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your project management skills and ability to support young people. Think about times when you’ve navigated challenges and delivered successful outcomes, as this is key for the Participation & Training Officer role.
✨Engage with Empathy
Since the role involves working closely with children and young people, be ready to discuss how you’ve demonstrated empathy and adaptability in previous positions. Highlight any experiences where you’ve supported colleagues or young people in a fast-paced environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the team’s current projects or future goals. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role aligns with your career aspirations. It’s a great way to engage with the interviewers and leave a lasting impression.
