About this role
Job summary Specialist Advisory Teacher - Virtual School
Join Oxfordshire Virtual School and help improve educational outcomes, inclusion and life chances for children we care for and previously cared-for children.
As a Specialist Advisory Teacher, you will work across education, social care, SEND and partner agencies to promote educational achievement, attendance, stability and wellbeing for care-experienced children and young people. You will provide specialist advice, challenge and support to schools, educational settings, carers and professionals, ensuring children's educational needs remain central to planning and decision-making.
A key aspect of the role involves supporting high-quality Personal Education Plans (PEPs), strengthening educational provision and helping schools effectively use Pupil Premium Plus funding to improve outcomes. You will analyse attendance, attainment and engagement information, identify emerging risks and coordinate support to remove barriers to learning at the earliest opportunity.
Working collaboratively with schools, social workers, carers, SENCOs and designated teachers, you will champion trauma-informed, relational and inclusive approaches that promote participation, belonging and success. You will also contribute to service development, training, quality assurance and wider improvement activity across the Virtual School.
This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified teacher who is passionate about inclusion, safeguarding and helping care-experienced children and young people achieve their ambitions.
Main duties of the job As a Specialist Advisory Teacher within Oxfordshire Virtual School, you will provide educational advice, challenge and support to improve outcomes for children we care for and previously cared-for children. Working with schools, carers and professionals, you will help remove barriers to learning, strengthen inclusion and promote educational achievement, attendance and wellbeing.
About us Oxfordshire Virtual School is dedicated to improving educational outcomes, inclusion and life chances for children we care for and previously cared-for children. Working across education, social care, SEND and partner agencies, the service champions the educational needs of care-experienced children and young people, helping them overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential.
As part of Oxfordshire County Council's commitment to corporate parenting, the Virtual School works collaboratively with schools, carers, designated teachers, social workers and wider professionals to ensure children and young people receive high-quality educational support, stability and opportunities to succeed. Through advocacy, challenge, training and partnership working, the service plays a crucial role in shaping better outcomes for some of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable learners.
Job description Job responsibilities
Are you a qualified teacher passionate about improving educational outcomes for care-experienced children and young people?
We are seeking a Specialist Advisory Teacher to join Oxfordshire Virtual School - initially for 12 months - and help improve educational achievement, inclusion and stability for children we care for and previously cared-for children.
Working across education, social care, SEND and wider partner agencies, you will provide specialist educational advice, challenge and support to schools, carers and professionals. The role involves advocating for Oxfordshire children we care for wherever they are living and educated, ensuring that their educational needs remain central to planning and decision-making. You will also provide advice and guidance in relation to previously cared-for children educated in Oxfordshire, helping schools and families to secure appropriate support and remove barriers to learning.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence practice across a countywide and national network, while making a meaningful difference to the lives of some of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable learners.
About the RoleAs a Specialist Advisory Teacher, you will:
Support the Virtual School in promoting the educational achievement, inclusion and stability of Children We Care For and previously cared-for children. Work with schools, educational settings, social care, SEND and other partner agencies to secure and sustain suitable education provision and promote educational stability. Provide specialist educational advice, support and constructive challenge to schools and professionals to improve outcomes for care-experienced children and young people. Support high-quality Personal Education Plans (PEPs), strengthening the quality of targets, provision, use of Pupil Premium Plus and evidence of impact. Use attendance, attainment, progress and casework information to identify emerging risks, remove barriers to learning and coordinate timely support. Promote trauma-informed, relational and inclusive approaches that support participation, belonging, wellbeing and educational success. Support schools and partners to reduce suspensions, exclusions and reduced timetables, and to improve reintegration and inclusion. Work collaboratively with carers, social workers, SENCOs, designated teachers and other professionals to ensure joined-up planning and support. Support the early identification of SEND and emerging needs, helping schools and partners to implement effective interventions and adjustments. Lead or coordinate support during key points of transition, including admissions, placement moves, phase transfer and transitions into further education, employment and training. Deliver training, guidance and resources that strengthen understanding of care experience, inclusion, attendance and educational achievement. Contribute to quality assurance, service development, inspection readiness and wider improvement activity across the Virtual School. This is a unique opportunity to help improve outcomes and life chances for care-experienced children and young people across Oxfordshire, and beyond.
About You
You will be an experienced and credible education professional with a strong understanding of the barriers that can affect educational achievement, attendance, inclusion and wellbeing. You will be confident working across professional boundaries, building effective relationships and using your professional judgement to help schools and partners identify and address challenges at the earliest opportunity. You will:
Hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and be degree educated. Have current knowledge of primary and secondary curriculum frameworks and assessment arrangements. Understand Virtual School statutory duties, care planning processes, PEP requirements and corporate parenting responsibilities. Have a strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma, attachment, relational practice and the impact of care experience on learning and behaviour. Have experience of working with vulnerable children and young people, including Children We Care For and those with complex needs. Be confident providing specialist educational advice, challenge and advocacy to schools, educational settings and partner agencies. Have experience of working collaboratively with senior leaders, designated teachers and multi-agency partners to remove barriers and improve outcomes. Be able to use attendance, attainment, engagement and casework information to identify risk and coordinate proportionate support. Demonstrate strong organisational, planning and case management skills. Be committed to inclusion, equality and improving the life chances of care-experienced children and young people.Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.Reward and Benefits
Competitive salary Annual leave starting at 29 days per year (plus bank holidays) A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Agile and flexible working Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24/7 Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health and leisure activities Excellent learning and development opportunitiesThis role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape practice and improve outcomes for some of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable children and young people.If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Lucy Byford at [email protected] or (01865) 328550.
Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and InclusionAt Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peersupport, education and safe spaces for all.Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview SchemesAs a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.Our commitment to: SafeguardingOxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share thiscommitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.Our commitment to: Flexible WorkingWe are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, jobsharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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Person Specification
General Requirements Essential
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Desirable
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Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Oxfordshire County Council
Address
Oxford
OX11 8QX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)