Vulnerable Pupils Support Officer - 37 hours

Torbay Council; Torquay; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Torbay Council is recruiting a Vulnerable Pupils Support Officer to join the Education and SEND service for a 37-hour week on a fixed-term contract starting September 2026.

You will work with Children’s Services, schools and multi-agency partners to provide coordinated support to pupils at risk of not receiving sufficient education, including home visits, attendance processes, and ensuring the voice of the child is heard in planning and decision making.

Qualifications

• Effective ICT and administration skills to use case recording systems and Microsoft applications.
• Ability to communicate effectively to parents/carers and other professionals.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners across agency boundaries.
• Strong organisational skills to meet deadlines.
• Excellent literacy skills for succinct documentation.

Responsibilities

• Support vulnerable pupils to ensure they are seen, supported and able to achieve their potential.
• Undertake home visits and assist with attendance processes.
• Collaborate with schools and multi-agency partners to coordinate support.

Skills

ICT and admin skills

Communication

Interagency collaboration

Organisation

Literacy

Education

GCSE/Level 3

Job description

Vulnerable Pupils Support Officer - 37 hours

Application Deadline: 13 September 2026

Department: Childrens Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Torbay Council

Reporting To: Team Manager

Compensation: GBP 27,274 - GBP 29,071 / year

Description

Job Description & Person Specification >

We have an exciting opportunity for a Vulnerable Pupils Support Officer to join our Education and SEND service within the Vulnerable Pupils team.

We are a committed and collaborative team focused on promoting the education, inclusion and positive outcomes of vulnerable children and young people across Torbay. This role is central to supporting pupils who may be at risk of not receiving sufficient education, ensuring they are visible, supported and able to achieve their potential.

You will work closely with colleagues across Children's Services, schools and multi-agency partners to provide coordinated support to children and families. This includes undertaking direct work such as home visits, supporting attendance processes, and working with families who are electing to home educate. A key part of the role is ensuring the voice of the child is heard and embedded in all planning and decision-making.

We are looking for a proactive and compassionate practitioner who is confident working independently in the community, including lone working, while maintaining strong partnership links with professionals. You will have experience of working with children, young people and families who may be vulnerable or hard to reach, and a good understanding of safeguarding, education systems and multi-agency working.

You will play a key role in supporting casework, gathering and analysing information, arranging meetings such as risk of exclusion and medical panels. Attention to detail and strong organisational skills are essential to ensure accurate recording and effective monitoring of outcomes.

Our ethos is rooted in working restoratively and collaboratively, supporting families in a preventative way wherever possible. We are passionate about improving life chances, raising aspirations and ensuring every child has access to suitable education.

We recognise this is a demanding but rewarding role, and we are committed to investing in our workforce. You will be supported to develop your skills and maximise your impact on outcomes for children and young people.

The role requires the ability to travel across Torbay and work flexibly, including undertaking home visits and lone working in the community.

This is a 6 month fixed term contract with a start date of September 2026.

This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 21st September 2026.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

At times there is a need to close our adverts earlier than the date specified, however this advert will not close before 10th September 2026.

Skills

Essential:

• Effective ICT and administration skills to use case recording systems and microsoft applications.
• Ability to communicate effective to a range of audiences including parents/carers and other professionals.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners across agency boundaries.
• Effective organisational skills to meet deadlines.
• Excellent literacy skills in producing succinct and effective documentation.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Sound knowledge of Child Protection and safeguarding procedures.
• Knowledge of keeping Children Safe in Education.
• The impact of trauma and attachment difficulties on learning and attainment.
• Knowledge of working with schools as systems.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Educated to GCSE / Level 3 standard or equivalent.
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development.
• Experience of working with children and young people.
• Experience of supporting needs and delivering evidence informed intervention programmes.
• Experience of using IT systems for diary management, case recording, report writing and emails.