At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower foster carers and guardians to support children's education through expert advice and training.
- Company: Join Birmingham City Council, a leader in promoting welfare and education for vulnerable children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to build relationships and influence positive change.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on the educational outcomes of children in care.
- Qualifications: Experience with children in social care and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
- Virtual School Educational Advisor for Carers & Guardians
- Permanent
- Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review
Working 36.5 hours per week, hybrid working – typically 1-2days a week in the office.
To provide advice, support, training, and guidance for foster carers, connected carers residential care home workers, guardians and parents for children and young people who are in care.
To be a key contact point for education advice for foster carers, guardians, connected carers and residential care home staff in the city.
Develop strong partnership working on behalf of our families with SENAR, SENDIASS, admissions, exclusions team etc. to ensure guidance and support for families for children in care is accessible.
Design and developing comprehensive training and e-learning programmes on educational issues for parent/carers, including training aids and materials.
Promote high expectations for looked after children by enabling carers, guardians, and residential care home staff to be able to actively support the young person in home learning activities (such as aiding homework, reading together, learning spellings) and other duties, see job description for full details.
Are you passionate about improving the educational outcomes of children and young people in care?
Do you believe carers, guardians and residential care staff deserve high‑quality guidance, training, and support so they can help children thrive?
If so, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference as a
Virtual School Education Advisor for Carers and Guardians .
About the Role
As a key member of Birmingham Virtual School, you will act as an essential point of contact for foster carers, guardians, connected carers and residential care home staff.
Your role is all about empowering adults around the child to better support their education, engagement and progression.
You’ll be responsible for
- Providing expert advice, support, and guidance on all education matters relating to children in care.
- Designing and delivering high‑quality training and e‑learning for carers and guardians.
- Building strong partnerships with teams such as SENAR, SENDIASS, Admissions, and Exclusions to improve access to support.
- Promoting high expectations for looked after children, ensuring carers can support effective home learning.
- Creating impactful resources, training materials, and website content to communicate best practice.
- Supporting families and carers with school transitions and the effective use of Pupil Premium.
- Collaborating with education staff and social workers to ensure the right interventions are in place to support stability, engagement and academic progress.
- Developing pathways in partnership with the Royal Springboard Foundation and Birmingham Children’s Trust to explore opportunities in independent education settings.
This role is dynamic, varied, and filled with opportunities to build relationships, influence practice, and help transform outcomes for Birmingham’s children in care.
About You
We are looking for someone who brings
- Experience working with children and families known to social care, including those with SEND.
- An understanding of legislation, policies and procedures relating to vulnerable children and those in care.
- Experience delivering training to adult audiences.
- Knowledge of trauma‑informed practice or attachment‑related needs.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage workload and meet statutory timescales.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to listen, advise and support families sensitively and professionally.
- The ability to maintain high‑quality, accurate case records.
- An understanding of virtual schooling and the unique challenges faced by carers and guardians.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, andwe arecommitted to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.
We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.
For any informal enquires please contact: Resourcing@birmingham. gov. uk
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken.
Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Job Description and Person Specification Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy | Birmingham City Councilhere.
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Virtual School Educational Advisors for Careers and Guardians in Birmingham employer: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the heart of one of the UK's largest Commercial and Procurement Services. With a commitment to employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on wellbeing, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping strategic decisions that impact the community. Join us to make a meaningful difference while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive work culture that values diversity and excellence.
