At a Glance
- Tasks: Support care leavers in their transition to higher education, employment, and training.
- Company: Birmingham Virtual School, dedicated to improving life chances for young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a commitment to professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on safeguarding and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of care-experienced young adults.
- Qualifications: Experience in education pathways and strong advocacy skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Birmingham Virtual School (BVS) have a vacancy that will support the successful transition pathways for our care leavers into higher education, employment, and training (EET). The Post 18 Advisor will provide high-quality educational advocacy and support and represent care leavers at relevant panels, forums, working groups and multi‑agency meetings. Facilitating information sharing between agencies, schools, authorities, and other professionals to promote improved joint working arrangements to support care experienced young people.
About The Role
We are seeking a committed and passionate professional to support Birmingham’s care leavers as they transition into adulthood. You will lead on the educational priorities within the Virtual School Service Plan, ensuring every young adult has the opportunity to engage in education, employment, or training that meets their individual needs and aspirations. This is a key role in strengthening Birmingham’s post‑18 support offer and ensuring our care leavers receive high-quality advocacy, coordinated planning, and access to meaningful opportunities within the city.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading on educational priorities outlined in the Virtual School Service Plan.
- Ensuring all care leavers are supported with their post‑18 career pathways based on their individual needs.
- Providing high-quality educational advocacy for care leavers accessing higher education or employment with training.
- Working collaboratively with Personal Advisors to deliver coordinated transition planning and ongoing support.
- Developing and maintaining effective partnerships with higher education providers to enhance graduate offers for Birmingham care leavers.
- Representing care leavers at relevant panels, forums, working groups and multi‑agency meetings.
- Overseeing the quality and accuracy of care leaver case records and reports using approved systems and processes.
- Coordinating the central Virtual School support offer for care leavers across the service.
- Facilitating effective information sharing between agencies, schools, local authorities and professionals to promote joined‑up working and improved outcomes.
About You
We Are Looking For Someone Who:
- Has a strong commitment to improving the life chances of care-experienced young people.
- Understands education, training and employment pathways for young adults aged 18 plus.
- Can build positive relationships and advocate confidently on behalf of young people.
- Has experience of multi‑agency working and partnership development.
- Is highly organised with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Is confident analysing information, managing caseloads and maintaining accurate records.
- Is committed to safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and high-quality practice.
Please upload an up-to-date CV and Supporting Statement via the attachments part of your application. The Supporting Statement should outline how you meet the criteria for the role through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. Note the Personal Statement should be no more than 1500 words. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV and Personal Statement attached.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed 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 enquiries please contact the Resourcing Team.
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. Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Virtual School Post 18 Advisor in Birmingham employer: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting the transition of care leavers into adulthood through meaningful educational and employment opportunities. With a strong commitment to safeguarding, equality, and inclusion, the council fosters a collaborative work culture that values professional development and offers hybrid working arrangements, allowing employees to balance their personal and professional lives effectively. Joining our team means being part of a passionate community focused on making a real difference in the lives of young people in Birmingham.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Virtual School Post 18 Advisor in Birmingham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Birmingham City Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Birmingham City Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Birmingham City Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Birmingham City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Virtual School Post 18 Advisor in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Birmingham City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Birmingham City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
