Education Coordinator

Polaris Community; Borough of Swale; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

Benefits: Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan

About Us

Set up in 1987 by a small but passionate group of foster parents, we became the UK's first independent foster care agency. That gives us the benefit of over 30 years' of fostering experience and we're still going strong!

The founder members recognised that looked after children – especially those who’d had very difficult starts in life – needed specialist support. So right from the beginning they put the child at the centre of their thinking and surrounded them with an integrated range of support services. In fact, that's what ISP means: Integrated Service Programme.

Over time, this circle of support has increased to include a whole range of professionals that children and foster parents can tap into, whenever they need to. This includes social workers, fostering advisors, teachers and therapists, who all work with our foster parents and the children they look after, helping them understand and manage even the most challenging situations. This is what’s known as a ‘therapeutic approach’ to fostering and it’s something that we pioneered.

Requirements

ISP Teynham is currently seeking an Education Coordinator. The successful candidate will provide guidance and support to foster parents, schools, teachers and any other professional working with ISP children regarding their education across the South region.

Applicants will be expected to have a working understanding of all Key Stages and must have experience of working with children with complex needs. Knowledge or experience of working with 'Looked After’ children would be a distinct advantage.

• Ability to be flexible and creative around children’s education
• Ability to make effective decisions about education in order to help others resolve complex issues
• Working knowledge and understanding of the educational needs and entitlements for children and young people

Responsibilities

• To advise where appropriate on Education provision for children within the Centre
• To monitor the educational progress of all children attached to the Centre
• To provide support to the Centre staff about educational matters for children within the Centre
• To assist with the development of education support, policy and procedures
• To attend multi-disciplinary team meetings at the Centre and advise on education in accordance with Childcare Plans and Personal Education Plans
• To liaise and communicate effectively with co-professionals within the Centre in order to ensure that each child’s educational needs are met
• To work in partnership with children, young people, foster parents, other professionals, local authorities and stakeholders, enabling full participation in assessment, planning, review and decision making relating to safeguarding and child protection
• To offer advice to schools where appropriate
• To effectively manage and maintain education case records
• To promote and build relationships with schools, virtual schools and all relevant local authority professionals

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by ISP.

ISP is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.