Directorate: Children and Family Services Section: Virtual School Location: Civic Centre Grade: Level 8 Salary: £33,699 - £36,363 per annum Hours: 37 hours per week Contract type: Fixed term until 30th April 2027 This advert is open to both Internal and External applicants. About us: We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that’s where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision. Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need. Further information on the Council and our directorates The Role: We’re looking for a motivated and skilled Virtual School Practitioner to join our dedicated team. You will work closely with schools, social workers, carers, and young people to ensure every child receives the education, support and encouragement they need to thrive. Proposed interview date 22nd May 2026. For more information on the role, please contact the Recruiting Manager Nicola Bromley-Smith, nicola.bromley-smith@stoke.gov.uk Key Responsibilities: · Champion the educational progress of children in care, previously in care and those with a social worker · Support, monitor and challenge schools to secure strong outcomes for young people · Deliver training and advice to professionals and carers · Analyse and track attendance, attainment and progress information · Carry out high quality Personal Education Plan (PEP) work and provide clear, constructive guidance About You: · Have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) · Experience of teaching in a school or college setting · Strong communication, relationship building and advocacy skills · Confidence in analysing data and using it to drive improvement · Have a child centred solution focused approach What we offer: · A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent · Hybrid and flexible working options · An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme · Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found here Pre-Employment Checks: Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include: · Right to Work in the UK · Proof of address · Satisfactory references · Occupational Health Clearance · Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations · DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role) The Council will not accept any speculative CVs from employment agencies. No agency terms and conditions accompanying any such CVs will be accepted by the Council. Any unsolicited information sent by an employment agency will be treated as the property of the Council. Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.