Education Advisor

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. We wish to appoint a Senior Education Advisor (SEA) to promote 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 phases, thereby ensuring good quality planning leading to positive educational outcomes. This role will involve advising schools/colleges, settings and key professionals on strategies that address emerging educational and behavioural issues and lead to improved outcomes for Leicestershire children in care and/or care leavers and previously looked‑after children resident in Leicestershire.

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 organized, 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.

• A relevant Level 6 qualification e.g. qualified teacher status or substantial experience of working in a school / college / alternative education / local authority education service / early years setting
• Experience of working effectively with teams of teachers and/or support staff in schools/colleges/alternative curriculum settings or within a multi‑professional working environment attached to education
• Excellent knowledge of attachment and trauma theory and/or practice and behaviour management strategies across age ranges
• Excellent understanding of the barriers children in care may experience in accessing educational opportunities, across both primary and secondary age phases.
• Knowledge of legislation and guidance relating to primary and secondary education, specifically to children in care
• Able to influence and persuade in order to negotiate successful outcomes.
• Experience of delivering high‑quality training to peers and professionals.
• Ability to share and deliver accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all residents.

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.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.