AddressAbout us
At Hillingdon we’re proud of our commitment of ‘Putting our residents first’, ensuring they’re at the heart of everything we do! We want to attract talented individuals like yourself who share our aspirations for the borough and can support us to deliver exceptional services for Hillingdon.
With an ambitious strategy we pride ourselves on delivering services that improve the lives of all our residents, businesses, and partners. Embarking on a journey of continuous improvement, we’ve set an agenda to ensure the provision of; safer communities, a thriving local economy, a greener more sustainable environment, whilst increasing our digital capabilities.
Working at London’s second largest borough can be tough, particularly with government reforms, budget restrictions, and political attention – but it’s enough to keep us busy and ensures no two days are the same!
Embark on a rewarding career in Children Social Care with us, where excellence is not just a goal but a proven standard. We are proud to announce that our Children's Services have recently received an outstanding rating from OFSTED, a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care and support for children and families.
What does a Virtual Schools Officer do at Hillingdon?
This is a unique opportunity for a fixed term contract of 12 months, contributing to the investment in the educational development of Looked After Children. As a Virtual Schools Officer, you'll take charge of a caseload comprising of approximately 35 young people.
The key responsibilities of the role will be to ensure the young people receive the necessary support to overcome learning barriers and reach their full academic potential. This involves tracking and monitoring their progress and attendance, leading Personal Education Planning meetings, and collaborating with colleagues and partners to establish targets and action plans for their education.
The role works closely with foster carers, residential home key workers, social workers, personal advisors, and designated teacher/ student support services in schools and colleges.
About you
With a proven track record of working with vulnerable people, you will have experience of working with Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children those with Special Educational Needs, Children Missing from Education, or those who are NEET. Evidencing examples of working with an age group from 2-18 years old you will be able to demonstrating a strong understanding of the English education system, including the ability to assess across Key Stages and post-16 pathways. Displaying a genuine passion for empowering Looked After Children and Care Leavers you will seek to achieve positive educational outcomes.
Meeting deadlines, thinking on your feet, and demonstrating a strong work ethic are some of the core skills we are looking for from the successful candidate. With exceptional interpersonal skills, you will be comfortable with communicating to a wide range of stakeholders, providing support to both colleagues and the team around the children and young people.
Given the nature of this role, occasional evening and weekend work may be required, and there may be a need to travel within the borough depending on the location of the young people you will support.
What we offer
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
Work Life Balance
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – You will receive a minimum of 26 days annual leave each year, in addition to bank holidays. This entitlement increases to a maximum 37 days after 10 years of service.
Health & Wellbeing
- Hillingdon Sport Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Cycle Purchase Scheme – Promote eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme.
- Discount on Golf Fees – Enjoy up to 30% discounts on green fees at council owned golf courses.
- Financial Benefits – Secure your future with access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union
- Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
- Eye Care – We contribute towards eye tests and lenses for Display Screen Equipment
- Mental Health Support – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues.
- Support and Counselling Services – Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
Commute with Ease
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
Equity, Diversity and Equality Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We value the unique perspectives and experiences of all individuals, and we believe that our workforce should reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities. We recognise the value of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented groups.
Join us in building a workplace where diversity is not only embraced but also celebrated, and where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Additional Information
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Applicants should be aware that the post will only be offered to successful candidates subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.
