Defence Children Services (DCS)
Wiltshire
Salary:
£52,092 - £52,092
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Apply by:
15 September 2025
Job overview
Defence Children Services (DCS) has an exciting opportunity for experienced, qualified teachers to join a newly formed MOD Virtual School. If you want to make a difference to Service families and Defence by supporting children overseas in non-DCS schools, then this role may be for you
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. As such using data to aid understanding of our workforce is vital.
Defence Children Services is recruiting 2 x Education Advisors (MODVS EDA Aus/NZ/USA and MODVS EDA ROW) to join our Virtual School (MODVS EdA) based at our Headquarters in Upavon, Wiltshire.
The MOD Virtual School Education Advisors (MODVS EdA) (Aus/NZ/USA and ROW) will play a vital role in supporting and improving the educational outcomes of c.5000 children and young people in Service Families. These are dynamic and exciting roles providing the opportunity to work with overseas locations in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America (Aus/NZ/USA) and the Rest of the World (ROW) locations, including the wider Defence community.
DCS has staff working in military establishments across the world. Our services include the provision of advice, guidance and support concerning the education and safeguarding for service families in the United Kingdom and across the world. This includes operating MOD schools and settings for the children of Defence personnel (Service and Civilian) serving overseas. All our activities are crafted to meet the effective education needs of our children and families, mitigating the challenges of mobility and promoting the positive opportunities of service life. Your contribution to this is essential and invaluable.
These positions are advertised as fulltime at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
The MODVS EdA (Aus/NZ/USA and ROW) will provide support and professional guidance to parents during an assignment overseas in non-Defence Children Services (DCS) school areas and manage complex casework and parental queries requiring advice appertaining to children's education in an overseas location. The MODVS EdA (Aus/NZ/USA and ROW) reports to the Virtual School Headteacher (VHT) and works with a range of agencies to ensure high quality support is delivered to both families and Commands in location.
The post holder's key responsibilities and main duties are:
* To provide clear, accurate and professional information, advice, and guidance regarding the education of Service Children overseas to parents, Commands and DCS.
* To develop strong working relationships with parents, school leaders and other agencies to ensure children's need are identified and, where possible, supported in the overseas location.
* To be the lead professional for individual cases, coordinating support from other agencies and leading multi-agency meetings, where required.
* Give educational input on individual cases when required so that decisions relating to Service Children's education can be made.
* To have up-to-date knowledge of current educational process and statutory guidelines and how it applies to Service and other entitled families overseas.
* To deliver training or presentations to DCS colleagues and other stakeholders involved with Service children's education.
* Understand the principles of effective information management (IM) and ensure all cases dealt with DCS IM processes are always followed.
* Some UK and overseas travel may be required
* Further information is available on the attached job description.
Person Specification
Essential
* Have significant experience and expertise in teaching, supporting and advocating for children in a wide variety of educational provision.
* Have experience and knowledge of local authority/broader education organisation working and working in an education focused multi-agency team.
* Experience of leading teams of other professionals to meet children's needs.
* Experience of working collaboratively and be able to support both parents and Team members effectively.
* Have an understanding of the requirements and risks of Elective Home Education.
* Be an experienced educationalist with knowledge of the school curriculum, Special educational Needs and Disability/Additional Needs, safeguarding, across a range of settings.
* Evidence and experience of managing conflict between different stakeholders where there may be different requirements and expectations
* The ability to challenge and negotiate requirements including excellent communication skills able to meet the requirements and demands of different stakeholders.
Desirable:
* Experience implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in a classroom or nursery setting, or Experience teaching at Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, or A-Level.
* Having an understanding the demography and the context of Service children and their families.
Qualifications and Requirements:
* Recognised bachelor's degree with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
* Have evidence of continual professional development at post graduate level.
* Current Driving Licence due to some locations not being easily accessed by public transport
Evidence of qualifications will be required at interview. Equivalent qualifications will not be accepted.
Benefits
We are passionate about delivering extraordinary things for our people. We employ people who challenge and guide each other, working within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills and experience. Some of the many benefits you will receive include
* Learning & Development opportunities for professional & personal development of skills.
* A culture encouraging inclusion & diversity.
* Medical & dental support.
* Pensions: Superannuation is in accordance with the Teachers Pension Scheme.
We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference, and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career.
Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD.
To apply please visit Civil Service Jobs LINK TBC to submit your completed application before the deadline of DATE TBC
Defence Children Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
About Defence Children Services (DCS)
Defence Children Services (DCS)
Bldg 183, Trenchard Lines, Upavon, Pewsey
Wiltshire
SN9 6BE
United Kingdom
Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools followTes' Fair Recruitment Policy.