Tracking Support Officer

37 hours per week

This role is office based, with potential for some agile or remote working

Fixed term contract until 31/08/2027

Are you motivated by making a real difference to young people’s futures?

We are looking for a skilled and organised professional to join Island Futures, supporting the Local Authority’s statutory responsibilities under the Skills and Participation legislation, including the Raising the Participation Age requirements, to track and promote the participation of young people aged 16–18 in education, employment and training.

This is a key operational role focused on delivering high-quality participation tracking, maintaining accurate data, and working closely with schools, post-16 providers and partner services to ensure young people are supported to sustain engagement and make successful transitions.

About the role

You will play an important part in supporting the Local Authority’s participation duties by:

• Supporting the Isle of Wight Council in its responsibility to track young people aged 16 to 18 to ensure they have successfully progressed into education, training or employment after leaving and support those who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
• Identify young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET and refer them to appropriate support services.
• Responsible for contacting young people and parents/carers and accurately recording destination data including occupational area and place and level of study/training.
• Responsible for identifying young people who need a referral for further support from the Island Futures team.
• Build and maintain relationships with young people and other agencies to engage those who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and encourage them to access our free high-quality information, advice and guidance services.

About you

You will be confident working with data and systems, comfortable managing competing tasks and deadlines, and able to build effective working relationships with a wide range of partners. You will understand the Local Authority’s responsibilities under the Skills and Participation framework and the importance of accurate record-keeping in supporting positive outcomes for young people.

You will also be able to engage sensitively with young people who may be anxious, disengaged or facing barriers to participation, using persistence, empathy and a solution-focused approach.

What we offer

• The opportunity to work in a small, supportive and committed team within Island Futures.
• Meaningful work that supports young people at critical transition points.
• Agile working arrangements in line with service needs.
• Access to training and professional development.

If you are looking for a role where your work has a direct impact on young people’s opportunities and progression, we would welcome your application.

For further information or an informal discussion please contact Julie Lambert at julie.lambert@iow.gov.uk.

Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounted Solent ferry travel
• Island bus network discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff parking permit scheme
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes
• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
• Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)

To discover more about our careers please visit Jobs and careers - Isle of Wight

Find out more about Our culture and environment & living on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.

We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;

unacceptable behaviour policy

The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via adverts@iow.gov.uk if you would like to receive a copy.

The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.

Please note, appointment to a regulated role will require you to provide additional personal details, including full employment history, referee information, and consent for any required safeguarding checks, as part of the Council’s commitment to safer recruitment and compliance with regulatory requirements.

This council and its schools recruit according to the council’s Recruitment, Policy and Procedure and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone 01983 823134 or email callcentre@iow.gov.uk Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.

We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.