Inclusion Support Officer (Virtual School)

Virtual School for Children looked After

37 hours per week

One Year Fixed Term Post with possibility of further extension depending on grant funding

Hybrid working available

About us:

Brighter Futures for Children is an independent, not-for-profit-company, wholly owned by Reading Borough Council. Our responsibility is to deliver quality children's services, early help, education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services to children and families in Reading. Our Human Resources team has been an effective, constant pillar supporting the development and nurturing of our people. The team plays an integral part in building culture and adding value to the organisation.

About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join Reading’s Virtual School (VS) for Children Looked After, Children Previously Looked After and Children with a Social Worker. The Virtual School is committed to promoting the educational achievement of Children Looked After and supports young people to achieve their educational potential, to enable them through attaining good qualifications and a positive school experience to have more fulfilling careers, higher incomes, greater self-confidence and ultimately a better quality of life.

The Virtual School Inclusion Support Officer will report to the VS Data, Inclusion and Finance Manager and will support the Virtual School Assistant Headteachers for Early Years/Primary and Secondary/Post 16 to promote the educational achievement of children looked after by monitoring attendance, supporting with Personal Education Plans (PEPs), preventing exclusion and promoting inclusive practice with schools and partner agencies in order to improve outcomes for children looked after.

Key responsibilities:

• To promote the educational achievement of children looked after by increasing school attendance, preventing exclusion and promoting inclusive and therapeutic approaches and practice.
• To provide a specialist service to assist schools in and out of borough in meeting their obligations and targets in relation to school attendance, especially persistent absence.
• To liaise with the e GOV digital team and Virtual School Data, Inclusion and Finance Manager to ensure all data for children looked after is accurate on the e PEP and attendance collect system.
• To be alert to any child looked after who is at risk of exclusion and prevent fixed term/permanent exclusion through early intervention work with Designated Teachers, Attendance Support Officers, Social Workers and Carers.
• To support the VS Assistant Headteachers, with Personal Education Plans and where required attend PEP meetings/Annual Reviews for children looked after with low attendance or fixed term exclusion and listen to and promote the voice of the child.
• To support schools to adopt and model therapeutic thinking approaches to behaviour to support children looked after where absence and exclusion is a concern.
• To build and foster strong relationships with Designated Teachers and Carers to ensure that children looked after are not missing education.

About you:

This is a highly rewarding role where you’ll have the opportunity and autonomy to really make a difference. If you are passionate to help us in making a positive difference to vulnerable children’s lives every day, then we would like to hear from you.

Experience/skills required:

• Experience within the relevant children’s services environment (i.e. schools, colleges or local authority)
• Experience of working within a multi-agency environment and forging successful partnerships.
• Experience and understanding of Children Looked After and a determination to act as their advocate to improve their life chances.
• Knowledge of current local and national issues impacting upon the service and be able to demonstrate an understanding of the needs of children and young people looked after in Reading and those living out of borough.
• Working with professionals from other agencies in a multi-agency context.

Our offer:

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• 25 days incremental holiday plus public holidays (rising to 32 after 10 years’ service).
• Discounted Child Care (on site nursery).
• Salary Sacrifice Car Lease Scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Season ticket loans.
• A range of local discounts.

For more information and a confidential discussion please contact Virtual School Headteacher – Clare Houlton on clare.houlton@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

We look forward to hearing from you!

Closing date: Tuesday 21 March 2023

Shortlisting date: Thursday 23 March 2023

Interview date: Thursday 30 March 2023

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be sought from the successful candidate.

www.brighterfuturesforchildren.org