Education Support Officer – Cared for Children and previously Cared for Children
| Posting date: | 30 May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 29 June 2025 |
| Location: | Rochdale, OL16 1XU |
| Company: | inploi |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 75705612 |
Summary
About the Role
A Unique Opportunity to Champion Education for Cared for and Vulnerable Young People
Due to the expanding responsibilities of Rochdale’s highly regarded Virtual School for Cared for Children, we are excited to offer a rare and unique opportunity to join our team as a Post-16 Education Support Officer (ESO).
This new role has been created to lead on improving educational outcomes for our post-16 cohort, supporting young people as they transition from Year 11 into college, apprenticeships, or employment. You will work closely with the Virtual School team and a wide range of partner services and agencies to drive forward opportunities and reduce the number of young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
About you
You will:
- Provide tailored support, advice, and guidance on the educational needs of Cared for Children and care-experienced young people.
- Be the lead ESO for post-16, supporting transitions and promoting sustained engagement in education or training.
- Collaborate with schools, colleges, FE providers, carers, social workers, and personal advisors.
- Monitor achievement, attendance, engagement, and aspirations.
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality Electronic Personal Education Plans (ePEPs).
- Deliver training and promote the voice of the child in shaping their educational journey.
- Work creatively to support and challenge education settings and professionals to achieve the best outcomes.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking someone who:
- Is passionate about improving life chances for vulnerable young people.
- Has a strong understanding of the education system and the challenges faced by care-experienced learners.
- Can work under pressure while maintaining high expectations and a positive, solution-focused approach.
- Is confident in building partnerships and influencing others to drive change.
- Is flexible and able to travel to meetings across the borough (casual car user allowance is payable).
About us
Why Join Us?
You’ll be part of a growing and dynamic team at a pivotal time, as our Virtual School extends its strategic support to include children with a social worker (e.g., Children in Need, those on Child Protection Plans) and those in Kinship Care. This is your chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people in Rochdale.
Interested?
We’d love to hear from you. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Kirstie Rathbone, Virtual Headteacher
01706 925126
virtualschool@rochdale.gov.uk
To apply please demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements of the person specification.
Please include reference to your qualifications that are specified on the person specification within your application only include if there are qualifications.
Interviews to be held week commencing 16th June 2025.
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