NEET Partnership Coordinator

Surrey County Council; Reigate; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Reigate is looking for a NEET Partnership Coordinator to lead projects aimed at preventing young people from becoming NEET. This hybrid role involves managing a significant pilot fund and ensuring effective engagement across multiple stakeholders. Key responsibilities include overseeing project delivery, fostering partnerships, and leveraging data for decision-making. Applicants should have proven project coordination experience and a commitment to improving outcomes for youth. The starting salary is £47,142 per annum, and benefits include generous annual leave and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

26 days' holiday increasing with service

Option to buy additional leave

Local government pension

Carer's leave and volunteering days

Employee Assistance Programme

Access to development resources

Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating or delivering projects in multi-agency environments.
• Ability to build strong relationships across organizational boundaries.
• Experience managing delivery plans and program oversight.
• Use of data to shape decision-making and track success.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to early intervention for youth.

Responsibilities

• Oversee NEET prevention pilot projects.
• Coordinate delivery across schools, colleges, and community partners.
• Manage a dedicated pilot fund of approximately £150k.
• Ensure pilots align with Surrey's wider ambitions.
• Drive operational delivery and monitor progress.
• Act as the bridge between strategy and local delivery.

Skills

Project coordination experience

Relationship building

Data usage for decision-making

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Commitment to youth outcomes

Job description

• Category: Economic Growth and Development
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Working hours: 36 hours per week
• Posted on: 4 December 2025
• Closing date: 4 January 2026
• Directorate: PLACE
• Location: Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, RH2 8EF

Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council.We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This role has a starting salary of £47,142 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a NEET Partnership Coordinator to join our Economy and Growth service. In this role, you will contribute to Surrey's wider economic ambitions by supporting inclusive growth and creating opportunities for all residents. You will also work closely with the Post-16 Transitions team in Education and Lifelong Learning to ensure alignment with statutory duties, existing NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) prevention and intervention work, and the council's broader education strategy.

The role is hybrid with at least one day in Woodhatch (usually Tuesday), combined with regular attendance at meetings, workshops and events across the county.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

Make a real difference to young people's futures in Surrey

Preventing young people from becoming NEET is a key priority for Surrey County Council. Over 1,500 students in mainstream and alternative provision schools are flagged as "at risk" through Surrey's RONI (Risk of NEET Indicator) tool, making early, effective support essential.

Surrey has strong strategic frameworks, including the Post-16 Phase Council, to drive participation and progression. To deliver on our No One Left Behind mission and Economic Growth Strategy, we are investing in a dedicated role to bridge strategy and local delivery, ensuring coordinated, impactful support on the ground.

This is a unique opportunity to lead system-wide pilot projects, test innovative approaches, learn from real-world delivery, and shape how Surrey supports young people at risk of becoming NEET.

About the teams

The Economy and Growth team focuses on sustainable economic development for Surrey's 1.2 million residents, working with major employers such as Amazon, Asahi, WWF-UK, Samsung and McLaren to futureproof the UK's leading regional economy, which is home to 110,000 businesses contributing £50 billion annually.

The Post-16 Transitions team ensures every young person has guidance and support to move confidently into education, training or employment. Through targeted early intervention and universal NEET support, we work closely with schools, colleges, employers and families to overcome barriers and empower young people to thrive.

About the Role

As NEET Partnership Coordinator, you will oversee the implementation and delivery of multiple NEET prevention pilot projects, ensuring they are evidence-led, well-coordinated, and embedded within local education and skills systems.

You will manage a dedicated pilot fund (circa £150k), coordinate delivery across schools, colleges, community partners and employers, and ensure the insights and results from each pilot feed back into strategic decision-making.

This role provides dedicated operational capacity to drive delivery, monitor progress, manage risks, and capture learning through a Community of Practice. Acting as the bridge between strategy and local delivery, you will ensure pilots are data-driven, well-coordinated, and aligned with Surrey's wider ambitions.

This is a highly visible role with interest from senior political leaders, local partners and wider stakeholders. With the right leadership, these pilots provide Surrey with the opportunity to test new approaches, learn quickly, improve partnership working, scale proven models and deliver better outcomes for young people at risk of becoming NEET.

If you want to be at the heart of practical system change, helping shape solutions that could be rolled out county-wide and beyond, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Shortlisting Criteria

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours :

• Experience coordinating or delivering projects in multi-agency or multi-partner environments
• Ability to build strong relationships and foster collaboration across organisational boundaries
• Experience managing delivery plans, commissioning activity or programme oversight
• Confident use of data, insight or evidence to shape decision-making and track success
• Strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills
• A commitment to improving outcomes for young people and supporting early intervention

Experience in education, youth services, employment, skills, or local government settings is advantageous but not essential where core competencies are clearly evidenced.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV along with a one-page cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday 4th January 2026, with interviews taking place in mid-January.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.