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Job Introduction

Are you an experienced education leader with a passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people?

We are seeking a Secondary Phase Leader to join Oxfordshire Virtual School and play a key leadership role within a high-profile, high-impact service. The Virtual School supports children we care for, previously cared-for children, children with a social worker and those in kinship care.

This is an opportunity to influence practice across education, social care and partner services to ensure children and young people receive the education, stability and support they need to thrive.

About the Role

As Secondary Phase Leader, you will:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the secondary phase of the Virtual School, ensuring statutory duties are effectively delivered and high-quality practice is embedded.
• Lead and develop a team of specialist staff, promoting strong performance, reflective practice and continuous professional development.
• Lead quality assurance across the secondary phase, using data, performance intelligence and frontline insight to drive improvement and provide assurance.
• Provide oversight of safeguarding, educational progress, attendance, exclusions, transitions and education stability, ensuring risks are identified and addressed early.
• Work across a complex multi-agency system, strengthening partnership working and shared accountability with schools, social care, SEND services and wider partners.
• Support inspection readiness, audit activity and service development, contributing to continuous improvement across the Virtual School.
• Oversee the effective and impactful use of Pupil Premium Plus funding for secondary-aged Children We Care For.

This is a unique opportunity to influence practice and make a meaningful difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people across Oxfordshire.

About You

You will be an experienced and credible education leader with a strong understanding of safeguarding, inclusion and the barriers faced by vulnerable children and young people.

You will be confident operating within complex systems, building effective partnerships and leading others to deliver exceptional outcomes.

You will:

• Hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent professional qualification.
• Have a strong understanding of Virtual School responsibilities, safeguarding, contextual safeguarding, SEND, attendance and exclusion practice.
• Understand trauma, attachment and the impact of care experience on learning.
• Have experience of leading and managing staff, driving performance and supporting professional development.
• Be able to analyse data, quality assurance findings and performance information to drive improvement and provide assurance.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, influencing and partnership-working skills across education, social care and wider agencies.
• Have experience of managing complex or high-risk cases and responding effectively to changing demands.
• Be motivated by improving outcomes for children and young people and committed to Oxfordshire County Council's values of Always Learning, Being Kind and Caring, Equality and Integrity, Taking Responsibility and Daring to Do Things Differently.

We would particularly welcome applications from leaders with experience of system improvement, commissioning, service development and/or inspection readiness.

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Reward and Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Annual leave starting at 29 days per year (plus bank holidays)
• A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Agile and flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24/7
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health and leisure activities
• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• Explore more here

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape practice and improve outcomes for some of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable children and young people.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact the Virtual School at virtualschool@oxfordshire.gov.uk or (01865) 328550.

Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to: Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to: Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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