Virtual Schools Primary/ Secondary Advisor
Fixed Term, Part Time
From £47,669 to £56,082 Per Annum Full Time Equivalent
Location: Countywide
Working Style:
Closing Date: 7th July 2024
Please note this is a part time opportunity 22.2 hours per week (3days) term time only with working weeks of 42 per year with a pro-rata salary from £26,615 to £31,312 per Annum.
This is a fixed term opportunity for up to 24 months. This is a hybrid working arrangement with the expectation to attend ECC offices 2-3 times a month.
The Opportunity
This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified primary specialist (QTS) with leadership experience who is looking to share their extensive knowledge to make a positive impact on the achievements of our children.
Influencing and challenging school leaders and providing subject matter expertise, our Advisors ensure that children and young people have access to the best educational provision possible, accelerating their progress and attainment thus leading to enhanced life chances.
Delivering high quality training and support for social workers and Designated Teachers in schools you will ensure statutory duties and best practice standards are met.
The role requires teaching experience in at least 2 key stages ranging from early years to key stage 2 and experience within a school leadership role. You will have a strong understanding of current theory and research relating to the education for children in care, that informs effective practice and the ability to positively challenge school practice where it falls short. You will also have experience in liaising with a wide range of professionals.
This role is also going to lead the strategy for supporting Special Guardianship Order (SGO) Carers whose children have not previously been in care: it will involve developing connections and a strategy across services, with schools and with communities of SGO carers to ensure that carers and professionals can access advice and guidance around promoting educational outcomes for children on SGOs.
Accountabilities
1. Responsible for delivering the education vision, with particular focus on the political agenda and priorities and wider council objectives for previously looked after children (PLAC), raising their attainment, and avoiding exclusions.
2. Leading and developing practice in key educational advances, sharing this best practice with schools to influence school performance against Ofsted and DfE requirements, including the raising of attainment and attendance of PLAC.
3. Responsible for ensuring practice and resources are meeting the needs of individuals, to raise attainment within both mainstream and SEND services, through a deep understanding of challenging and complex educational needs of PLAC.
4. Effective utilisation of digital technologies, data and innovation across services to ensure that resources are deployed appropriately and in a for PLAC.
5. Leading the way in Equality & Diversity within schools and social care, ensuring that equal opportunity is given to all children, enabling them to achieve their potential.
6. Providing consistent challenge to senior leaders in schools and support for other professionals and parents/carers, ensuring they are working towards the plans set to raise attainment and promote inclusion for PLAC
7. Ensuring a robust check and challenge process, to maintain the focus on plans, leading to consistent and sustainable raised attainment, improved behaviour and increased attendance.
8. Responsible for challenging existing ways of working and holding senior leaders across schools, the education function and social care to account.
9. Working collaboratively with the Education Senior Leadership team and the post-adoption and SGO social care teams, identifying areas of opportunity, scoping, planning and delivering the strategic plans related to our ambition to transform Education in Essex.
The Experience You Will Bring
10. Possesses Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and has senior leadership experience within a school setting.
11. Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
12. Demonstrate a strong understanding of current theory and research relating to the education for children in care and previously looked after, that informs effective practice.
13. Extensive experience of acting as an advocate and champion for children with the ability to positively challenge school practice where it falls short.
14. Experience of effective implementation of school improvement strategies and initiatives together with successful outcomes.
15. Experience of building strong networks across schools, to facilitate and support the sharing of expertise and best practice.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.