Lead Education Advisor

Hurst Green; Brierley Hill; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Hurst Green in Dudley is seeking a Lead Education Advisor for children with a social worker to support vulnerable learners. The role, initially temporary with a view to permanency, involves advising schools and families to improve attendance, attainment and educational stability.

You will collaborate with partners across education, social care and health to champion outcomes for children who have or had a social worker, or are in kinship care, ensuring safeguarding is central to all work.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families.
• Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or equivalent safeguarding leadership role.
• Experience working across multi-agency partnerships including schools, social care and health.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Virtual School in championing educational needs of previously looked after children, those with a social worker, and kinship carers.
• Provide advice, guidance and challenge to schools, professionals and families to raise attainment and stability.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of Dudley Virtual School and drive improvements in attainment, attendance and engagement.

Skills

Safeguarding leadership

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Degree-level qualification

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Cable Plaza, Waterfront W, Brierley Hill

Cable Plaza, Waterfront W, Brierley Hill

Closing Date:

14/10/2026

Sector:

Local Councils

Business Unit:

Children's Services

Job Introduction

The role is initially temporary with the view to making it permanent.

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 20th October.

Lead Education Advisor for children with a social worker

37 hours per week

We are pleased to be extending the Dudley Virtual School team and are looking to appoint a dedicated and passionate professional to support some of our most vulnerable children and young people. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the educational outcomes of children who have previously been looked after, those with a social worker, and children living within formal kinship arrangements.

Job Summary

The postholder will support the Head of Virtual School in championing the educational needs of children who are previously looked after, have or have had a social worker, or are living within formal kinship arrangements.

The role will promote the education and achievement of children previously looked after and those in kinship care by providing advice, guidance and challenge to schools, professionals and families. Through collaboration and partnership working, the successful candidate will help ensure that children receive the support they need to overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential.

The postholder will contribute to the ongoing development and continuous improvement of Dudley Virtual School through supporting and challenging professionals working with children who have or have had a social worker or have formal kinship arrangements. The aim is to enhance educational outcomes, raise aspirations, and drive improvements in attainment, attendance and engagement.

The successful candidate will have:

Significant experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and families, alongside a strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection and early help processes. Applicants will have experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), or in a comparable safeguarding leadership role.

Experience of working effectively across multi-agency partnerships, including schools, social care, health services and other stakeholders.

The ability to analyse and interpret data to identify need, monitor performance and drive service improvement.

Experience of providing professional challenge and support to schools and practitioners to improve attendance, attainment, inclusion and educational stability.

A strong commitment to working with families and carers to strengthen engagement in education and improve outcomes for children.

Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels.

A degree-level qualification or equivalent professional qualification, together with evidence of ongoing professional development.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking Virtual School and make a lasting difference to the educational experiences and outcomes of children and young peopleacross Dudley. If you are committed to championing vulnerable learners, driving educational excellence and working collaboratively to improve lives, we would love to hear from you.

Workplace Attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata) or Onsite full time

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications