Young Person\'s Support Advisor in Birmingham

Birmingham Virtual School is seeking two dedicated Education Support Advisors to join the team on a temporary basis until July 2026. These roles play a vital part in improving educational outcomes for young people with a social worker, particularly those post-16 who are currently NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

You will work directly with children in care and other vulnerable young people, helping them overcome barriers, re-engage in education, and prepare for adulthood.

The role involves providing targeted support to children in care and young people who are currently NEET, helping them re-engage with education and training opportunities. This includes working directly with individuals to identify their needs, build their confidence, and guide them towards appropriate pathways.

A key part of the position is managing a caseload and contributing to the development of high-quality Personal Education Plans (PEPs), ensuring plans are accurate, meaningful, and fully quality-assured. Strong collaboration is essential, as the role requires close working relationships with multi-agency partners, social workers, colleges, and training providers to deliver joined-up support.

Accurate and timely record-keeping is fundamental, with responsibility for documenting interventions, progress, and outcomes. The role also requires advocating for young people, ensuring their views and aspirations shape goal-setting and future planning. Supporting them into EET (Education, Employment with Training) destinations is a central focus, which involves identifying barriers to engagement and helping them overcome challenges.

Additionally, the role contributes to audits, inspections, governance reports, target-setting, and continuous service improvement. Safeguarding remains a core responsibility throughout, with an expectation to act promptly and appropriately whenever concerns arise.

What you’ll need to succeed:

We are seeking individuals who are genuinely passionate about supporting vulnerable young people and who can demonstrate a strong foundation of essential skills and experience. Candidates should hold GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above, or an equivalent qualification, and have proven experience in improving outcomes for vulnerable young people, ideally within post-16 or education settings. Strong communication skills are vital, with the ability to present clear, concise information to a wide range of professionals. The role requires someone who is confident in planning, organising, and supporting key transitions for young people. Building meaningful professional relationships and working collaboratively across agencies is essential, as is having a solid understanding of social care processes, education pathways, and relevant legislation. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of effective intervention techniques that encourage participation and re-engagement in education.

It is desirable for applicants to have experience working with children in care, as well as familiarity with Personal Education Plans (PEPs), NEET prevention work, or broader education support roles. These additional experiences will further enhance a candidate's ability to provide high-quality support to the young people they work with. We will also need to carry out an Enhanced Adults and Children’s DBS check for this role.

What you’ll get in return:

Working with Birmingham Virtual School offers the opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping the futures of vulnerable young people while being part of a supportive, multi-disciplinary environment focused on achieving positive outcomes. The organisation is committed to ongoing professional development, providing access to continuous training and learning opportunities. You will also be joining a workplace that values equality, inclusion, and diverse representation, ensuring staff feel supported, respected, and able to thrive. In addition, this temporary assignment offers a competitive hourly rate of £20.86 including holiday pay, weekly pay, and the potential for extension, making it an excellent opportunity for both professional growth and stability.

What you need to do now:

If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.