Virtual Headteacher

Virtual Headteacher

Milton Keynes

£58,670 - £65,457

Closing Date 17/06/2020

Milton Keynes is a rapidly expanding, vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and play. How better to contribute to that continued success than through a unique and rewarding career with Milton Keynes Council. So if you're looking for an excellent benefits package and the chance to make a difference, make a move to Milton Keynes Council. With modern working practices where flexibility is commonplace and performance is measured on outcomes and results, alongside a generous holiday entitlement, you can experience a fulfilling job and great work-life balance.

Salary Grade: Soulbury 20-23 + 3 SPA To fulfil the statutory role of the Virtual Headteacher as detailed in the statutory guidance. To lead the LAC Education Team, support and challenge governing bodies, headteachers, designated teachers, Milton Keynes children and families and other professionals to secure the best possible educational provision and outcomes for children and young people in the care of Milton Keynes Council. To effectively liaise with the Head of Corporate Parenting to ensure good working practices across services.

Key Duties

• To provide professional strategic leadership and management of the Virtual School Team in order to ensure all LAC receive the best possible educational opportunities.
• To ensure effective support and challenge is provided to professionals to secure good progress and achievement for LAC, previously looked after children and those requiring early help.
• To effectively liaise with senior colleagues to ensure that Milton Keynes LA is an excellent corporate parent, and that there is a consistent adult in every CLA’s life fulfilling the lead professional role.
• To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of transitions for LAC.
• To liaise with social care colleagues and carers to ensure that LAC, previously looked after children and those requiring early help gain the appropriate support from all relevant agencies to promote their educational wellbeing.
• To monitor and evaluate the successful completion of education, training or apprenticeship of LAC so that they are prepared for adult life and leaving care.
• To champion the educational needs of LAC across the authority and those placed out of authority liaising with Virtual Headteachers to ensure this.
• To oversee the tracking and monitoring of all data on LAC to ensure robust provision of support and to challenge where necessary.
• To ensure Personal Education Plans are completed and are of a high quality so that they can be a working document to promote educational achievement in line with statutory regulations.
• To co-ordinate the review and updating of all council policies to ensure they emphasise the priority that we give to improving the life chances of LAC.
• Experience, Qualifications and any Mandatory Requirements
• A relevant professional qualification at Level 6 (degree) or above (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications). 
• Experience of a senior leadership role. 
• Expert knowledge of the legislative framework in relation to Virtual Schools. 
• Expert understanding of school and/or setting improvement strategies.

Skills Required

• Thinks and acts strategically within own area of responsibility and in support of other areas. 
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills. 
• Works strategically across the organisation and with partners.
• Able to manage a demanding workload without reliance on others. 
• Able to use resources flexibly. 
• Able to lead and motivate others.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. 
• Demonstrates strong commitment to the promotion of equal opportunities.
• Uses political judgement and sensitivity. 
• Shows a resilience and toughness under pressure. 
• Shows a high drive for achievement. 
• Shows a high degree of awareness towards the needs of service users.
• Ability to represent the council and work with a range of external partners, including at the regional and national level.
• Highly developed analytical skills to consider a range of possible solutions.
• Able to harness resources and, in partnership with others, think creatively to find unique solutions to long lasting and highly complex problems.
• Is able to identify, assess and manage considerable risk, putting in place effective strategies to mitigate high risk and protects the council’s reputation.
• Is resourceful and resilient in the face of challenge to problem solving proposals.
• Experience of managing change. 
• Able to inspire others to follow leadership during the process of change.
• Secure and skilfull use of evidence to judge the progress of change and adjust accordingly.
• Identifies priorities and undertakes tasks without supervision. 
• Is fully accountable for overall performance. 
• Is open and honest at all times. 
• Has high expectations of own performance and meets them.

For further information and to apply, please click the apply button.