Education Advisor (CSC-Experienced and Kinship)

Job Introduction

Are you passionate about improving educational outcomes for vulnerable children and young people?

We are seeking a number of Education Advisors (CSC-Experienced and Kinship) to join Oxfordshire Virtual School and support our growing extended duties remit. Working across education and children's services, these roles will help improve outcomes for children and young people with a social worker, those who have previously had a social worker, and children in kinship care arrangements by reducing barriers to learning, improving attendance and engagement, and promoting inclusion and educational success.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence practice across education, social care and wider services, helping to ensure that vulnerable children and young people receive the support, stability and opportunities they need to thrive.

About the Role

As an Education Advisor, you will:

• Support the Virtual School in promoting the education of children and young people with a social worker and those in kinship care arrangements.
• Work with schools, social care and partner agencies to identify and address barriers to attendance, engagement, inclusion and educational progression.
• Provide advice, consultation, support and constructive challenge to professionals to promote early intervention and sustained engagement in education.
• Raise awareness of the educational disadvantage experienced by some vulnerable children and young people, promoting high aspirations and shared responsibility for improving outcomes.
• Use data, professional information and partnership intelligence to identify emerging risks and opportunities for early support.
• Contribute to multi-agency planning and support joined-up working across education, social care, SEND, attendance, inclusion, early help and post-16 services.
• Promote trauma-informed, relational and restorative approaches that support inclusion and educational engagement.
• Support effective transitions, particularly at key points of vulnerability and into post-16 education, employment and training.
• Contribute to service development, quality assurance, training and wider improvement activity across the Virtual School.

This is a unique opportunity to work across a countywide system and make a meaningful difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

About You

You will have experience of working with vulnerable children and young people and a strong understanding of the factors that can affect educational outcomes, attendance, inclusion and progression. You will be confident working across professional boundaries, building positive relationships and using professional judgement to help identify barriers and promote effective solutions.

You will:

• Hold a relevant Level 3 or 4 qualification in education, social care, youth work, careers guidance or a related field, or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Have experience of working with vulnerable children and young people, particularly those with a social worker and/or in kinship care.
• Understand the education system across early years, school and post-16 phases.
• Have experience of working collaboratively across education, social care and partner services.
• Be confident providing advice, support and constructive challenge to professionals to improve outcomes.
• Understand trauma-informed and relational approaches and their application in practice.
• Be able to identify and respond to risk, including disengagement, exclusion and young people becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET).
• Demonstrate excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills.
• Be committed to inclusion, equality and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners.

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Reward and Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Annual leave starting at 29 days per year (plus bank holidays)
• A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Agile and flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24/7
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health and leisure activities
• Excellent learning and development opportunities

Explore more here

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape practice and improve outcomes for some of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable children and young people.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Lucy Byford at lucy.byford@oxfordshire.gov.uk or (01865) 328550.

Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to: Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to: Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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