Fixed Term Contract Until 31 August 2022

This is an exciting opportunity to join Birmingham's Virtual School for children in care or previous care experience. We are one of the largest Virtual Schools in the country working to support over 2000 children and young people. 

We are a passionate, hardworking and supportive team of over 20 staff working together to coordinate educational services and support for children in care. Our service is a statutory service within Birmingham City Council working alongside our partners in Birmingham Children's Trust to support children in care. 

Our focus is set down in our corporate parenting duties and mission statement. We are dedicated to promoting and raising the educational achievement of children in care, so they can fulfil their educational potential through positive educational experiences, from early years through to the end of their formal education, employment or training pathway at 18 years. We work in partnership with the child or young person’s school, social worker, family and other key professionals, both within Birmingham and in all the other local authorities, wherever our children live. 

Our commitment is to deliver an outstanding service through strong advocacy for best practice achieved through collaborative engagement, support and professional challenge.

We are seeking to appoint a highly committed and motivational Virtual School Team Advisor for families with children/young people who have previously experienced the care system. You will be joining us as part of an exciting period of change and development as our service moves into a new structure and roles. This is a new post within the team and will be a fantastic opportunity for someone to establish this advisory role within Birmingham. We continually strive for excellence and we welcome someone with the ability to strategize, provide innovation and is full of drive who can support us on this journey. 

In this lead role you will be required to ensure Children in Care on Adoption Pathways and Post Looked After Children (those that are Adopted, subject to Special Guardianship Orders or Child Arrangement Orders) are supported in education; and achieve in line with their peers. 

You will need to develop the advice and guidance available from the Virtual School to support children and young people who have had previous care experience.  So as to develop good practice across Birmingham’ education and early years settings that is personalised for children and young people who have had previous experiences of being in care

A key aspect of the role will be to be a strong advocate for our young people and their families to promote high expectations for previously looked after children linked to ambitious aspirations 1. Provide signposting to relevant support agencies and key practitioners in order to support the education and welfare of children and young people. 2. Where an educational placement is at risk provide advice and guidance to professionals and parents as requested.

We offer a supportive work environment, that is friendly, collaborative and committed to promoting equal opportunities and enabling career progression. The candidate will have an office base but must be able to travel across Birmingham and be able to work at home if required. We offer a competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including: Local Government Pension Scheme, Subsidised travel passes, Childcare vouchers, Cycle to work schemes, A confidential Employee Assistance Programme Access to an employee website offering discounts and cash back on hundreds of retailers, called My Rewards. 

Quality of Life: Birmingham has been voted one of the best places to live in the UK with 25% of our residents below the age of 30 we are a young and vibrant city. Hosting the National Exhibition Centre, Grand Central, the Library of Birmingham, as well as museums and art galleries, hotels, shops, restaurants/cafes and many other places for you to visit and enjoy.

Interviews for this post will take place virtually via video conferencing. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further information

For any informal enquiries please contact Lisa Smith on
07704538755 or lisa.smith@birmingham.gov.uk

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We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.

A Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) - Enhanced Children's and Adult’s will be undertaken

“Right to work in the UK documentation will be fully checked for all applicants. All non UK and non EU applicants are required to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship from Birmingham City Council and must be approved by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) before any employment offer can be confirmed.”