Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and enhance the education of looked after children in Staffordshire.
- Company: Staffordshire County Council, committed to equal opportunities.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity to travel across the county and engage with diverse communities.
- Why this job: Be a champion for vulnerable children and help them achieve their educational goals.
- Qualifications: Passion for youth work, strong communication skills, and experience in education or social care.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Do you have knowledge of the education and care systems, and how they impact on children's education? You will be contributing to raising the standards of educational attainment, achievement and attendance of children looked after to Staffordshire. You will be district based, at either The Old Library, WS13 6PN or Castle House, ST5 1BL, with expected travel across the whole county and potential country‑wide travel on occasions.
Main Responsibilities
- Contribute to raising the standards of educational attainment, achievement and attendance of children looked after to Staffordshire, including:
- Maintain effective monitoring and tracking systems for Looked After Children’s educational attainment.
- Responsible for implementing the Virtual School new to care process.
- Attend and contribute to Personal Education Plans for Children & Young People as directed by the education coordinator and ensure SMART aspirational target setting for looked after pupils.
- Respond to identified areas of educational need within schools and settings for young people in public care under the direction of the education transition co‑coordinator, such as:
- Where there is danger of exclusion.
- Where the young person has been out of school.
- Where there is poor or non‑attendance.
- Where the young person is under‑achieving educationally as indicated by test scores, key stage results etc.
The Ideal Candidate
- Must be passionate about working with young people.
- Have excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
- Have experience of working with both teaching and social care professionals.
- Be able to respond flexibly to meet the individual needs of children and young people.
- Experience working directly with vulnerable children in an education setting.
- Knowledge and understanding of the education system and services.
- Experience of strategies to motivate and engage vulnerable children and young people.
- Experience of supporting multi‑agency partnership working.
- Understanding of the effect of trauma and attachment on the education of looked after children.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. A criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service is required.
Virtual School Advisor employer: WMJobs
Contact Detail:
WMJobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Virtual School Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education and care sectors, especially those who work with looked after children. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the education system and how it impacts vulnerable children. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used to engage and motivate young people in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, let them know why you're dedicated to improving educational outcomes for looked after children. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles like the Virtual School Advisor. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at Staffordshire County Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Virtual School Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Make sure you understand the education and care systems, especially how they affect children's education. We want to see your passion for working with young people shine through in your application!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter. We love it when applicants customise their documents to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the Virtual School Advisor role. Show us why you're the perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the education and care systems, especially how they affect children's education. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by looked after children in Staffordshire, as this will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for working with young people shine through. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to improving educational outcomes for vulnerable children. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategies
Prepare to talk about specific strategies you've used to engage and motivate vulnerable children. Think about examples where you've successfully supported multi-agency partnerships or addressed issues like poor attendance or underachievement. Concrete examples will make your case stronger.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the role and the team. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to the success of the Virtual School. It’s a great way to demonstrate your proactive attitude!