Education Advisor

Overview

Coventry Virtual School is seeking an experienced secondary education practitioner to promote the educational achievement of vulnerable children and young people supported by the Virtual School. This primarily includes children in care, as well as those who fall under the Virtual School’s extended duties, including previously looked‑after children, children in kinship care arrangements and children with a social worker. The Education Advisor will play a key role in identifying and addressing barriers to success, providing advice and guidance to schools on trauma‑informed practice and relational approaches, and monitoring outcomes to promote a culture of high aspiration.

The role involves ensuring that the educational attainment of vulnerable children remains a high priority in schools and alternative provisions. It also includes developing initiatives and interventions with children, young people and parents/carers to improve attendance, reduce suspension, meet SEND needs and create positive school experiences based on a relational approach. The Education Advisor will monitor completion of termly Personal Education Plans (PEPs), identify where additional support and advice are needed and challenge schools on the effectiveness of their practices and procedures.

Work primarily across the secondary age cohort and support transitions into Post 16 education. Identify and address barriers to success for vulnerable learners. Provide advice and guidance to school staff, parents/carers and other stakeholders on factors that impact children’s educational outcomes and access to education. Monitor completion of PEPs and challenge schools on the effectiveness of their practices.

• Extensive experience working in an education setting providing advice and guidance to school staff, parents/carers and other stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of legislation relating to education and children, including attendance and suspension/exclusion.
• Clear understanding of current best practices for improving the educational outcomes of children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs.
• Detailed knowledge of intervention programmes designed to support children and young people, with experience assessing and reporting on their impact.
• Thorough understanding of safeguarding procedures and responsibilities.
• Experience of local authority processes for special educational needs and disabilities, including Statutory Assessment and Education, Health and Care Plans.
• Proactive, knowledgeable and committed individual passionate about improving educational experiences for vulnerable learners.
• Right to work in the UK (sponsorship not offered).

• Open and fair:
  We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop:
  We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower:
  We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate:
  We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable:
  We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect:
  We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

The Education and SEND Service strives to deliver outstanding services for our customers, predominantly the children of Coventry, who may require access to education or alternative education provision. The team is made up of a diverse range of professionals who work together to recognise, support and apply innovative solutions to address the growing issues in relation to trying to educate some of our most vulnerable pupils in schools.

Coventry Virtual School is a service provided by dedicated professionals within the Children and Education Directorate whose work is to promote and coordinate educational support for Children in Care and Care Leavers to succeed at nursery, school, college and university wherever their place of learning. The team’s purpose is to ensure that all who work with Coventry’s Children in Care and Care Leavers have high educational aspirations for them so that our pupils and students are given the best opportunities to engage, progress and achieve to their…