Lead Education Advisor

Overview

In this role you will support the Head of Virtual School to champion the educational needs of children who are previously looked after, have or had a social worker, or live in formal kinship care. You will advise schools, professionals and families to remove barriers to learning and raise attainment and engagement. Your work will help develop the Dudley Virtual School and drive cross‑agency collaboration for better outcomes. This is a mission‑driven opportunity to improve educational experiences for vulnerable learners.

Pay / Benefits

• salary £48,738–£51,928 per year
• temporary role with view to permanent
• 37 hours per week
• office/onsite work 3+ days a week
• supportive, collaborative environment
• opportunity to impact vulnerable learners

Responsibilities

• Advise and challenge schools, professionals and families to support vulnerable children
• Collaborate across multi‑agency partnerships to improve attainment, attendance and engagement
• Contribute to the ongoing development and continuous improvement of the Dudley Virtual School
• Analyse data to identify need, monitor performance and drive service improvement
• Promote education and achievement of children previously looked after and those in kinship care
• Engage with families and carers to strengthen engagement in education

Key requirements

• Significant experience with vulnerable children and families, safeguarding knowledge
• Experience in safeguarding leadership (DSL/DDSL or similar)
• Experience across multi‑agency partnerships (schools, social care, health)
• Ability to analyse and interpret data to drive improvements
• Experience providing professional challenge to schools to improve attendance and attainment
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship‑building skills
• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent professional development

• Communication
• Influencing
• Relationship‑building
• Collaborative working
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Safeguarding leadership and governance

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