Looked After Children Education Advisor

(‘Early Years and/or Primary’, or ‘Secondary and/or Post-16’)

Cognus Limited wish to appoint a Looked After Children Education Advisor to its Virtual School and its committed team of staff. We need someone with extensive experience in an educational setting who understands the needs of disadvantaged children and the specific issues facing children in care. The post is part time, minimum 0.6, maximum 0.8 with some flexible additional hours available during busy periods.

The post holder will ensure that the statutory responsibilities and other duties fundamental to the role are fulfilled appropriately and will be responsible for children and young people in care in educational settings both within the borough and outside the local area. They will also offer guidance and support to professionals, foster carers and schools supporting Sutton Looked After Children, in Sutton and those in other educational settings out of borough to ensure the best possible educational outcomes for young people. The post holder will be expected to represent Cognus Limited (the service) and the Local Authority (corporate parent) and be the expert within the field of education, with significant experience in one or more of the above phases/specialisms.

The successful candidate will have experience of working with vulnerable children and young people and an understanding of the complex issues facing children in care and care leavers and how these impact on their learning needs and academic attainment. You will have considerable experience of teaching and learning and how specifically support children with special educational needs in your area of expertise. The successful candidate will understand the need to not just deliver an excellent service, but to demonstrate improved outcomes for Looked After Children.

You should have previous experience of dealing with administrative systems with speed, efficiency and accuracy, especially when under pressure and working to tight deadlines. Casework is demanding and you will need to be able to set your own priorities for this. It is vital that you have the ability to work well as part of a team and to progress case work in a calm and sensitive manner. You will need good communication skills to build positive relations with children, carers, social workers and schools.

A good level of computer literacy is essential and an awareness of statutory guidance for Looked After Children in Education (2014) essential.

If a post like this enthuses you and you have the skills to take it on then we will be delighted to hear from you. If you would like to discuss the position further please call or email Rosemarie Zaubzer, Virtual School Head, on 020 8770 6740 or 07515137705.

Please leave a message if Rosemarie is not immediately available so that she can contact you directly.

If you are interested in applying for one of the vacancies, I would welcome receiving an application form, setting out how you feel you may be suitable for the role, by 5pm on Wednesday 25th October 2017.

A job description, person specification and supplementary information are
attached and applications should be submitted to rosemarie.zaubzer@sutton.gov.uk before the closing date.

Closing date: Wednesday 25th October 2017
Interviews will be held on: Tuesday 31st October

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.