Stronger Schools Officer

London Borough of Hillingdon; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Stronger Schools Officer to support children facing challenging behaviours. The ideal candidate will deliver interventions and work collaboratively with educational institutions. This role offers flexible working hours, generous holiday entitlement, and wellness benefits to support a fulfilling career.

Benefits

Flexible Working Hours

36 Hour Work Week

Generous Holiday Entitlement

Discounts at leisure centres

Local Government Pension Scheme

Mental Health Support

Travel Support

Qualifications

• Experience working directly with parents of children with challenging behaviours.
• Minimum of one year in a key-worker role.
• Understanding of safeguarding practices.

Responsibilities

• Deliver successful interventions for children with complex needs.
• Assess and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Maintain professional relationships with children.

Skills

Working with children and families

Safeguarding experience

Evidence-based recommendations

Creative problem solving

Persistent engagement skills

Education

5 GCSEs including English or NVQ level 3

Job description

About the role

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Stronger Schools Officer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in working with children and families, particularly those facing challenging behaviours. This role involves delivering successful interventions, safeguarding children, and working collaboratively with various educational establishments.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver successful interventions for children with complex needs to achieve positive outcomes.
• Work independently to assess and make evidence‑based recommendations about children and young people in casework.
• Form and maintain professional relationships and boundaries with children to ensure effective engagement in agreed interventions.
• Be persistent, creative, and tenacious in engaging with children and young people who are resistant to change.
• Travel to various educational establishments as required.

Qualifications

Essential

• 5 GCSEs including English or NVQ level 3 in an appropriate field.
• Experience of paid work directly with parents who have children/young people with challenging behaviour to achieve satisfactory outcomes.
• Experience of working in a key‑worker role for a minimum of one year.
• Demonstrable ability to deliver successful interventions for children with complex needs.
• Clear understanding of safeguarding and protecting families from risk and harm.
• Ability to work independently and make appropriate evidence‑based recommendations.
• Knowledge and understanding of the problems faced by children in education and the ability to help them find constructive solutions.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of Social Care, Education, and Health services and how they can support families.
• Ability to form and maintain professional relationships and boundaries with children.
• Ability to be persistent, creative, and tenacious in engaging with children and young people.

Desirable

• A recognised qualification in a related profession (e.g., Social Work, education, youth work, child and family development) or the commitment to undertake and complete training within 2 years.
• Full UK driving licence and use of own vehicle.

Statutory or Role Specific Requirements

• Able to work flexibly, including early mornings and evenings, to meet the needs of the service.

About you

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work‑life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Benefits

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36‑hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non‑casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council‑owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco‑friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24‑hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject tothe following pre‑employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• Qualifications Check
• 5 years of Referencing

Please note:

Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.