Overview
As our next Education Consultant youll be knowledgeable and highly skilled in understanding the complex needs of children and young people in our cohorts, especially their social, emotional and mental health needs. Youll use this to influence the care and education services that support them. Whilst your role will not involve direct work with children, you will have a proven ability to shape and influence practice to ensure they can enjoy learning, feel included, make progress and achieve their potential from whatever their starting points.
You will be able to build personal and professional credibility with schools, social workers, SEND services, foster and kinship carers, placement services and residential teams, adopters, special guardians and children and young people. You will be driven by promoting inclusion and equality of opportunity and outcomes for our children, making sure that care experience as a protected characteristic has meaning and impact. You will encounter a vast range of different types of education provision both in Leeds and around the country that will stretch and challenge you. With our support, you will keep children at the heart of everything you do.
The role is integral to our Virtual School team and youll be working alongside four other skilled and knowledgeable consultants. Youll provide direct line management and supervision to our Personal Education Plan Coordinators and help us deliver our duties across all our cohorts. Youll report to an experienced Education Adviser and be engaged in a whole range of different activities, working collaboratively within our team and with teams and services in the wider council and external partners. You will need to be skilled at managing a high and variable workload where priorities can change on a daily basis and where being able to account for the difference you make is key.
Responsibilities
* Assist the Virtual School Education Adviser in raising the educational attainment and achievement of Leeds Children Looked After (CLA).
* Contribute to improving educational outcomes for CLA by working in partnership with designated teachers, settings and services.
* Ensure that care planning and review processes comply with the statutory duty of the local authority to promote the educational attainment of CLA.
* Work with designated teachers, services for children looked after, foster carers to ensure all CLA have a quality Personal Education Plan that supports them to fulfil their educational potential.
* Support training and development for designated teachers and social workers in quality planning processes for PEP.
* Work closely with social workers, admissions, headteachers and designated teachers to secure a suitable school place or provision in settings that are good or outstanding, including for CLA educated outside authority.
* Assist schools and social workers in the completion of PEPs.
* Advise schools and social workers on the effective use of CLA Pupil Premium to impact attainment and achievement.
* Use monitoring data to target any CLA at risk of underachievement, working with schools and carers to provide additional activities and support.
* Ensure all CLA have access to a wide range of extracurricular activities to suit their individual interests, increasing confidence and widening their friendship base and future career choices.
* Assist in transition across all phases of a child’s education and assist in the collation of educational memories.
* Ensure that CLA have a voice in planning their education and the services that support them.
* Carry out duties with regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
* Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills.
* Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
* Be flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required, commensurate with grade.
* Work within the Council’s flexibility protocol and cater to its parameters.
Qualifications
* Knowledge of developments, best practice, professional and legislation relating to Children Looked After.
* Proven ability to develop personal and professional credibility with partners and stakeholders.
* Experience working in a multi‑agency environment and forging and driving successful partnerships.
* Experience working effectively in teams and promoting a ‘can do’ attitude within an environment of continuous improvement and positive outcomes for children and young people.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to form positive relationships.
* Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
* Ability to prioritise workload and work with minimum supervision.
* A high degree of sensitivity and the ability to pass on vital information to line manager.
* Ability to anticipate issues, plan solutions and make informed decisions by being creative, innovative and forward‑thinking.
* Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
* Relevant technical qualification and membership of relevant professional bodies with evidence of ongoing professional development within specific application age groups.
* Clear understanding of the Child Friendly City concept and the voice and influence of children and young people.
* Detailed working knowledge of Outcome Based Accountability (OBA) and Restorative Practice (RP).
* High level of understanding of the involvement of young people in service design and governance arrangements.
* Experience within the relevant Children’s Services environment (schools, colleges or local authority).
* Right to work in the UK: candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or holding a relevant work visa.
Essential Behaviours and Characteristics
* Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct.
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and working towards delivering Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities and a resilient sustainable city.
* Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Benefits
* A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
* A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
* A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
* Eligibility for sponsorship is available for roles paying at least £41,700 per year or meeting other criteria; consider your eligibility before applying.
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