Interim Senior Education Officer / Deputy Head of Virtual School

Rate: Flexible, dependent on experience

Contract: 3–6 months

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Location: Nottingham, NG2

Working Arrangement: Hybrid, 2–3 days per week in the office

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Interim Senior Education Officer / Deputy Head of Virtual School to lead the day-to-day delivery of a Virtual School service within a local authority.

You will be responsible for improving educational outcomes, attendance, engagement and inclusion for children in care, previously looked-after children, and children with a social worker. You will provide operational leadership to the Virtual School team, oversee casework and interventions, and deputise for the Head of Virtual School as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of the Virtual School service, ensuring effective support and improved educational outcomes.
• Oversee educational provision for children in care, previously looked-after children, and children with a social worker.
• Manage and develop a team of 8 Education Officers and 1 Data Officer, providing clear leadership and direction.
• Maintain high aspirations for children and young people, promoting inclusion, engagement and achievement.
• Provide case oversight, ensuring timely and effective responses to barriers affecting educational progress.
• Analyse educational performance data to monitor outcomes, identify trends and inform service improvements.
• Lead initiatives to improve attendance, participation, inclusion and attainment.
• Work collaboratively with schools, carers, social workers, families and partner agencies.
• Support efforts to reduce attainment gaps through effective educational planning, intervention and professional challenge.
• Deputise for the Head of Virtual School, providing leadership and continuity across the service when required.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Previous experience working within a Virtual School.
• Experience operating at Deputy Head of Virtual School level, or in a comparable senior leadership capacity.
• Strong understanding of the educational needs of children in care, previously looked-after children, and children with a social worker.
• Proven experience managing and developing teams.
• Experience using educational performance data to monitor outcomes and inform interventions.
• A track record of driving improvements in attendance, inclusion, engagement and educational attainment.
• Strong partnership-working skills across education, social care and multi-agency environments.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.