Education Adviser for Anti-Racism (Early Years, Schools and Colleges)

Brighton, East Sussex

Ref: orbis/TP/490/13739

About us

As a culturally-diverse area, at Brighton & Hove City Council we have pledged to be an anti-racist council. However, that diversity is not yet reflected in either the staff working for the council, nor those working in our education settings – despite 27.4% of pupils identifying as being from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. The enduring problem of racism within education settings and wider society is a complex and deeply entrenched issue that we are focused on tackling, and as such, we are appointing an Education Adviser for Anti-Racism to join our Education and Skills service.

How you can make a difference:

As our Education Adviser for Anti-Racism you will:

• Build on our Anti-Racist Schools Strategy that has been developed by an expert, and utilise this excellent foundation to embed key initiatives that will lead to better educational experiences for racially minoritised children and their families.
• Utilise an annual budget of £100k to support this ambitious five-year strategy. We will further enhance your work with the creation of an advisory group which will provide support and challenge. You will also be supported with mentoring and or coaching if needed.

This is a fascinating opportunity to identify and build the team you need to implement your ideas. Our local schools are deeply engaged in this idea, so you will support them with the resources, support and training that they are asking for. Actively identifying and opposing racism, you will transform the policies, behaviours and beliefs that underpin racism, and you will lead understanding on how racism impacts on both pupils, their families and staff. Whether setting school values on racism, or working to diversify and decolonise each school’s curriculum, you will work collaboratively with schools, children, their families and community groups to shape actions that will drive change.

From improving the recruitment and retention of BME staff, through to providing the training that teachers need to communicate key issues such as diversity and immigration, this is a highly-varied role in which you will have the scope to make a long-term difference to the wellbeing of the local community.

To be equal to this challenge:

You will combine a good knowledge of education with an expert approach to tackling racism. As such, you will either be a qualified teacher or have an in-depth knowledge of education settings. With a good understanding of the relevant equality and education legislation, you will have a detailed understanding of how racism impacts on education. Good leadership skills are essential, and you will be highly collaborative with the capacity to influence and lead change. You will also be resilient and persuasive and you will have the ability to work with a wide range of groups including headteachers, teachers, pupils and racially-minoritised communities. As you will need to monitor the success of the strategy, you will be able to develop a range of outcome measures.

What you can expect:

Join us, and you will find a workplace that is both challenging and always interesting. We are committed to creating a ‘whole city family’ approach to education, in which every age group is supported and nurtured. We apply this same mindset to our staff, so you will find an inclusive and supportive environment in which we will provide you with opportunities to do your best, and we will always recognise your hard work.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community but particularly encourage applicants from a BME or white other background as well as those who identify as disabled, LGB, male or trans as these groups are currently under represented in our directorate workforce.

To arrange an initial conversation about this role and/or to obtain a copy of the draft strategy, please contact Sam Beal Sam.Beal@brighton-hove.gov.uk

To apply for this post, please visit our website.

Closing date: 27 June 2021.