Virtual School Education Advisor

Leicestershire County Council; Glenfield; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Job summary

Leicestershire County Council is seeking an Education Advisor within the Leicestershire Virtual School to promote the education of looked after children and care leavers. You will coordinate Personal Education Plans and work with social workers, schools and foster carers to secure positive educational outcomes.

You will need knowledge of attachment and trauma theory, an understanding of the UK qualification system, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Level 6 qualification or demonstrable experience identified below.
• Experience of working in a school / college / alternative curriculum environment / local authority supporting vulnerable learners
• Knowledge of attachment and trauma theory and/or practice
• Excellent understanding of the barriers children in care may experience in accessing educational opportunities
• Knowledge of legislation and guidance relating to education and specifically to children in care e.g. School admission, SEND procedures and processes
• An understanding of current UK qualification system, data analysis and its uses.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, across the full range of audiences
• Able to self-organise and meet strict deadlines

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the statutory Personal Education Plan process across age ranges to ensure high-quality planning and positive educational outcomes.
• Promote collaboration with social workers, education settings and foster carers.
• Attend and chair meetings online or face to face and communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Deliver service improvements with innovation and creativity.
• Advocate on behalf of a caseload of looked-after children and care leavers.

Skills

Experience with looked-after learners

Attachment & trauma theory

Legislation knowledge (looked after)

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Independent work

Education

Level 6 qualification

Job description

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Work Location: County Hall Glenfield LE3 8RA

Salary: £36,621 - £40,458 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Working Hours:37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 28th September 2026

Interview Date(s): TBC

About the Role

The Leicestershire Virtual School supports our looked-after children and care leavers to access high quality education and achieve their potential. We are firmly focused on raising aspirations and narrowing attainment and progress gaps to improve outcomes and life chances. https://resources.leicestershire.gov.uk/leicestershire-virtual-school

Due to the promotion of a current Education Advisor we wish to appoint a permanent full time, Education Advisor to have responsibility for promoting the education of looked after young people by working collaboratively with a range of partners and agencies, including social workers, education settings and foster carers. You will coordinate the statutory Personal Education Plan process across age ranges, thereby ensuring good quality planning leading to positive educational outcomes.

Understanding the barriers faced by children in care and care leavers is key to successful delivery of duties. The Leicestershire Virtual School is at the forefront of promoting understanding of attachment theory and trauma-informed practice which will enable you to support, challenge and advocate on behalf of a caseload of children and young people in care. In addition, you will be supported to acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of DFE statutory guidance as it relates to the education of looked after children and previously looked after children.

You will be confident at communicating effectively and accurately both in writing and orally, chairing and attending meetings delivered online or face to face. You will be efficient and organised, yet keen to bring innovation and creativity to deliver service improvements. You must be able to work on your own initiative, but with the support from our caring, supportive and committed team.

An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.

For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.

About You

To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:

• Level 6 qualificationOrDemonstrable experience identified below;
• Experience of working in a school / college / alternative curriculum environment / local authority supporting vulnerable learners
• Knowledge of attachment and trauma theory and/or practice
• Excellent understanding of the barriers children in care may experience in accessing educational opportunities
• Knowledge of legislation and guidance relating to education and specifically to children in care e.g. School admission, SEND procedures and processes
• An understanding of current UK qualification system, data analysis and its uses.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, across the full range of audiences
• Able to self-organise and meet strict deadlines

In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our valuesandto delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Interested in Flexible Working?

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.

For more information or an informal discussion,please contact:

Donna Chapman - Virtual School Head and Service Manager

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]