Achievement Officer

The Virtual School is a team of experienced teachers and dedicated educational professionals. We promote and support the educational attainment and progress of Northamptonshire's children in care and children previously in care.

We are looking for an Achievement Officer to join the Virtual School working specifically with our post 16 cohort of children in care, and alongside our post 16 Education Officer, to support young people in care, to progress in, and engage with, education, training, and employment.

You will be responsible for investigating and finding solutions for the range of issues that may adversely affect progress in, and engagement with, education, training, and employment for young people who are post statutory school age. You will do this through liaison with education and training providers, young people and carers and any other related agencies or professionals, to improve the life chances of young people.

You will proactively support education and training providers so that they can maintain the young person’s place with the provider.

You will ensure that all case work records are kept in line with service expectations and agreed operational policy, practice and procedures.

You will represent The Virtual School at Multi Agency Meetings as and when required e.g., initial and review Personal Education Plans.

We are looking to recruit a forward-thinking person who works well in a team. You will need:

• To be educated to Level 3 or above and have GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English at grade 4/C or above.
• To have good IT skills and be willing to learn how to use a diverse range of IT systems.
• A good knowledge of Post 16 education, training, and employment.
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs and entitlements of children and young people in care.
• To have excellent communication skills and experience of building good working relationships.
• Excellent organisational skills, and the ability to manage your own case load.
• You must be able to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Where you will be working:

The Virtual School working pattern includes working from home, attending education settings and other venues in the community across Northamptonshire and occasionally out of the county, and some days working from our office at ONE Angel Square, Northampton.

Next steps:

If you like what you have read and want to know more about the role then please contact Paul Andrews on 07738638636 or email paul.andrews@northnorthants.gov.uk or Charlotte Franks on 07342069897 or email charlotte.franks@northnorthants.gov.uk

Closing date for applications (we do not accept CVs) is 12’noon, Monday 15th May 2023.

Provisional interview date will be the Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd May 2023.

We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.

Our priorities are:

• helping people live active fulfilled lives
• caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
• enabling a thriving and successful economy
• leading on a green and sustainable environment
• ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
• providing modern public services

Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.

Your differences make us different - Achieve Together.

We are undertaking consultation with the Trade Unions on terms and conditions and the future NNC pay structure and during this time are appointing new employees on interim spot salaries. You will be advised of the outcome and any impact on your role once this work is complete.

We offer:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (27 days, rising to 32 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.