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About the Service

Surrey Virtual School (SVS) leads the work to improve educational outcomes of three main groups of children – children who are looked-after, were previously looked-after (including Care Leavers) and those with a social worker.

Surrey Virtual School (SVS) proactively works with partners and stakeholders to create a culture of high expectations and aspirations around the groups of children in scope of their role, addressing barriers to educational progress and achievement.

The work of SVS and other Virtual Schools across the country is underpinned by DfE statutory guidance which sets out the duties and responsibilities towards each group of children.

About the Team

You would be joining a strong and stable team of professionals who are totally committed to improving educational experiences and outcomes of children and young people in the care of Surrey. An overview of the current team, their roles and what they enjoy and value most about being part of SVS can be found in our new school brochure.

SVS works together with schools, carers, social workers and a range of other stakeholders and professionals to improve outcomes in line with our statutory duty and role as educational advocates of looked after children. Surrey Virtual School has been on a development journey following the 2018 inspection of children’s services (ILACS) and has secured significant improvements across a number of key areas as highlighted in the 2022 OFSTED report. We aim to be an aspirational and outstanding Virtual School to promote and support the education of our care experienced children and young people and those with a social worker.

About the Role

We are seeking an Education Support Officer (ESO) who can support and add capacity to our existing ESO team. This particular ESO role will sit within the Post-16, Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young People and Progression to Independence (Care Leavers) team and focus on supporting our unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people. These young people arrive throughout the year and are usually in National Curriculum years 9 and above. Many are already post-16. Their levels of English vary but the majority have very little and have often never attended school in their home countries. This means that the role will involve negotiating with settings to arrange the support young people need. Depending on the time of the year at which they arrive, young people may face a wait in order to be able to start at a setting and will need to be supported to access online education and possibly tuition arranged by SVS.

This role is a mainly remote working position, although all members of the team are expected to attend a termly in-person team day in Surrey and there are occasionally events within the county which it would be useful for the ESO to attend.

The main purpose of the ESO role is to raise educational outcomes of looked after children through focusing on ensuring every child has access to a suitable education and has a high quality, up to date Personal Education Plan (PEP). These responsibilities are underpinned by DfE Statutory Guidance around the education of looked after children and young people. ESOs work closely with social care teams, designated teachers, foster carers and many other professionals to ensure timely completion of high-quality PEPs which reflect children’s identified needs, supporting accelerated learning and high achievement.

About You

You will need to have:

• Up-to-date knowledge of education and the care system,
• A thorough understanding of personal education planning for looked-after children and young people (SVS currently uses Welfare Call), experience of supporting professionals with PEPs and contribution to quality assuring PEPs, so that they make a positive difference to children and young people’s education,
• An understanding of the potential impact of trauma on development, behaviour and educational achievement.

To be considered for interview, your application will clearly evidence the areas outlined above together with:

• Experience of working within a busy educational, social care or third sector environment,
• Flexibility, tenacity and resilience,
• A good ability to manage your own workload and prioritise work independently,
• Educated to a Level 3 standard or higher,
• Ability to form a quick rapport with stakeholders and think creatively to identify potential solutions to barriers,
• A positive, ‘can do’ approach.

At Surrey, our values and behaviours are just as important as our skills and abilities. They shape who we are as an organisation. Find out more about the values we follow.

For more information please find the full job description below and refer to this before submitting your application. We also invite you to read our Life at Surrey handbook to see insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 04/06/2023.

Interviews will take place on 21/06/2023.

An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Contact Details

For an informal discussion please contact Cass Hardy, Assistant Head Teacher, who leads the Post-16, Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young People and Progression to Independence (Care Leavers) team – [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Benefits

From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit MyBenefits for Surrey County Council staff.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.