Virtual School Education Liaison Officer

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC620537
Salary Range: £32,149 - £35,241 pro-rata, per annum
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Temporary until 31 August 2026 (Term-Time only)
Closing Date: 29 April 2025
Interview Date: 13 May 2025

The Role:

The Virtual School is looking for a positive, enthusiastic person who is able to work in an organised, timely and systematic way to deliver a wide range of tasks in the Extended Duties Team. You will be a hardworking and committed person capable of working effectively as part of a team to support the education of Hampshire’s Previously Looked After Children (PLAC), Children with a Social Worker (CWSW) and Children in Kinship Care. 

The staff of the Virtual School Extended Duties team promote the educational progress and achievement of Children with a Social Worker (CWSW), Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) and Children in Kinship Care in Hampshire and have a focus on raising the educational achievement of these children and young people, as a cohort. The Virtual School Extended Duties team also holds the responsibility for offering advice and guidance in respect of educational matters for previously looked after children, children with a social worker and those in kinship care.

To be successful in the role, you will be highly accurate and methodical, have excellent attention to detail, be able to use her/his own initiative and have a positive demeanour. You will be someone able to deliver solutions. You will need to be resilient to the many challenges which are part of this role but also embrace the opportunities and possibilities it brings. Excellent organisation, and ICT skills will be essential as you will support other professionals in securing appropriate education provision for this vulnerable cohort and continue to support their journey through education as appropriate.

You will need to be able to form excellent relationships with schools, colleges, parents, carers, social workers, and other service providers to provide guidance, challenge and support to ensure a cohesive and aspirational approach to supporting the education of the children in our cohort. The role demands someone who can deal with sometimes distressing and challenging situations with a calm and empathetic manner. Having an understanding of children and young people who have experienced trauma as well as understanding the demands on schools is extremely advantageous.

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.

Additional Information:

Virtual School Education Liaison Officer Job Description and Person Specification

Vetting Requirements:

Please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Tamsin Austoni, Deputy Head of Service on VSExtendedDuties@hants.gov.uk