Job Introduction
NEET Prevention Officer
Directorate: People (Childrens, Adults, Public Health, Education and SEND)
Department: Education and SEND
Salary: £26,654 per annum (Range MPR3 A)
Job Status: Full Time Permanent
Hours: 37 per week
Location: Gun Wharf/Pembroke Court (whilst refurbishments at Gun Wharf are underway)
Working style: Hybrid – Works part from Pembroke Court and part from home.
Subject to BPSS Checks: Yes
Closing Date: 11/10/2026
We are looking for a proactive and motivated NEET Prevention Officer to support the delivery of post-16 participation and NEET prevention activities across Medway. This role focuses on working with young people, schools, colleges, training providers, employers and partner agencies to help increase participation in education, employment and training and improve outcomes for young people.
What You Will Do
- Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, colleges, training providers, employers and partner agencies to support NEET prevention activity.
- Monitor and maintain participation and destination data, supporting statutory reporting requirements and service performance.
- Support the planning and delivery of NEET Prevention projects and engagement activities for young people and stakeholders.
- Act as a key point of contact for employers, providers and education placements to strengthen partnership working and opportunities for young people.
- Provide administrative and operational support to the Post-16 Team, including maintaining records, preparing reports and coordinating communications.
What We're Looking For
- A minimum of five GCSEs, including English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above, or equivalent).
- Experience working with young people and an understanding of the barriers they may face in accessing education, employment or training.
- Strong organisational, communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience maintaining accurate records and handling data sensitively and confidentially.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office, databases and management information systems.
- The ability to work independently, manage a varied workload and contribute positively to team priorities.
Why Join Us?
You'll be part of a supportive and ambitious Post-16 Team committed to improving outcomes for young people across Medway. We offer flexible hybrid working, opportunities to develop your skills and experience, and the chance to play a key role in shaping NEET prevention activity and supporting young people to achieve positive futures.
The successful post holder will be subject to an Enhanced Childrens’ DBS check.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please call Alexandra Simonds, Post 16 Programme Lead on 01634 333556.
Children matter in Medway, and so do you. It’s an exciting time to join us as we offer competitive pay and conditions and hybrid working. We are committed to helping you to grow and develop throughout your career and reach your full potential. Our practice development offer, whether you are a manager or practitioner, ensures you will be guided, supported and cared for.
Join us and #Make a Difference…
What we can offer you
At Medway Council we value our employees and are committed to supporting them to thrive.
We offer:
- Flexible hybrid working, with an expectation of office attendance approximately three days per week.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
- Employee assistance and wellbeing support.
- A supportive and collaborative team environment.
- Opportunities to influence service development and make a meaningful impact across Medway.
Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.
When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.
The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:
Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.
Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.
Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.
The Post-16 team are seeking to appoint a NEET Prevention Officer. You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.
Our organisation:
Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.
Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.
We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.
Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.
Important Information
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.
- For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
- Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
- Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.
- Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
- We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement
Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age
Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.
