Care Experienced Student Support Officer

Job Title: Care Experienced Student Support Officer (Fixed Term)

Department: Student Services

Reporting to: Mental Health & Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Salary: £26,371 - £31,194 per annum (actual salary)

Contractual hours: 37 hours per week, 42 weeks

Basis: Full Time, Term Time, Fixed Term until 31 July 2027

Pension: NEST Pension Scheme

Location: Middlesbrough College Main Campus, TS2 1AD

Job Role

We are seeking a committed and compassionate Care Experienced Student Support Officer to join our operational Safeguarding Team at Middlesbrough College. Reporting to the Mental Health Manager and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will play a vital role in supporting care experienced and other vulnerable students through their transition into post 16 education and throughout their learning journey. You will provide high quality safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing support to ensure students remain engaged, safe and able to achieve positive outcomes. This role involves working closely with curriculum teams, student services, external agencies and carers to remove barriers to learning and promote attendance, retention and achievement.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a key point of contact for care experienced and other vulnerable students, providing safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing support
• Monitor attendance, engagement and progress of a caseload of students identified as vulnerable or 'At Risk'
• Support students through transition into college, including enrolment, induction and access to financial and pastoral support
• Liaise with curriculum staff, student services and external agencies to remove barriers to learning and improve outcomes
• Respond to safeguarding and welfare concerns, maintaining accurate records and contributing to safeguarding meetings
• Build effective relationships with schools, carers and partner organisations to support positive retention, achievement and progression

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Relevant Level 3 qualification (or equivalent)
• GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)
• Experience of supporting vulnerable young people and managing sensitive and complex cases
• Experience of safeguarding work and following relevant policies and procedures
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships
• Knowledge of safeguarding, Prevent duty and equality and diversity

Desirable

• Mental Health qualification
• A full, clean UK driving licence is required as travel across the Tees Valley will be involved.

Benefits

• Substantial annual leave entitlement plus holiday purchase scheme
• Health & wellbeing benefits: free gym membership, 24/7 counselling for you and your family
• Family friendly policies: flexible hours and a supportive work environment
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential support including counselling, legal and financial advice
• Professional development: extensive training, mentoring and career progression opportunities
• Funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training and paid volunteering days
• Access to discounted hair and beauty treatments at our onsite salon
• College benefit scheme "College Extras" offering cashback at retailers and restaurants, discounted gift cards and salary sacrifice options
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted onsite car parking

Equality & Diversity

Middlesbrough College is an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make recruitment decisions based on skills and experience. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively support applicants with disabilities.

Right to work

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. No visa sponsorship available for this role.