Oxfordshire County Council
Specialist Advisory Teacher
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Are you a qualified teacher passionate about improving educational outcomes for care-experienced children and young people?
We are seeking a Specialist Advisory Teacher to join Oxfordshire Virtual School - initially for 12 months - and help improve educational achievement, inclusion and stability for children we care for and previously cared-for children.
Working across education, social care, SEND and wider partner agencies, you will provide specialist educational advice, challenge and support to schools, carers and professionals. The role involves advocating for Oxfordshire children we care for wherever they are living and educated, ensuring that their educational needs remain central to planning and decision-making. You will also provide advice and guidance in relation to previously cared-for children educated in Oxfordshire, helping schools and families to secure appropriate support and remove barriers to learning.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence practice across a countywide and national network, while making a meaningful difference to the lives of some of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable learners.
About the Role
As a Specialist Advisory Teacher, you will:
- Support the Virtual School in promoting the educational achievement, inclusion and stability of Children We Care For and previously cared-for children.
- Work with schools, educational settings, social care, SEND and other partner agencies to secure and sustain suitable education provision and promote educational stability.
- Provide specialist educational advice, support and constructive challenge to schools and professionals to improve outcomes for care-experienced children and young people.
- Support high-quality Personal Education Plans (PEPs), strengthening the quality of targets, provision, use of Pupil Premium Plus and evidence of impact.
- Use attendance, attainment, progress and casework information to identify emerging risks, remove barriers to learning and coordinate timely support.
- Promote trauma-informed, relational and inclusive approaches that support participation, belonging, wellbeing and educational success.
- Support schools and partners to reduce suspensions, exclusions and reduced timetables, and to improve reintegration and inclusion.
- Work collaboratively with carers, social workers, SENCOs, designated teachers and other professionals to ensure joined-up planning and support.
- Support the early identification of SEND and emerging needs, helping schools and partners to implement effective interventions and adjustments.
- Lead or coordinate support during key points of transition, including admissions, placement moves, phase transfer and transitions into further education, employment and training.
- Deliver training, guidance and resources that strengthen understanding of care experience, inclusion, attendance and educational achievement.
- Contribute to quality assurance, service development, inspection readiness and wider improvement activity across the Virtual School.
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This is a unique opportunity to help improve outcomes and life chances for care-experienced children and young people across Oxfordshire, and beyond.
About You
You will be an experienced and credible education professional with a strong understanding of the barriers that can affect educational achievement, attendance, inclusion and wellbeing. You will be confident working across professional boundaries, building effective relationships and using your professional judgement to help schools and partners identify and address challenges at the earliest opportunity.
You will:
- Hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and be degree educated.
- Have current knowledge of primary and secondary curriculum frameworks and assessment arrangements.
- Understand Virtual School statutory duties, care planning processes, PEP requirements and corporate parenting responsibilities.
- Have a strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma, attachment, relational practice and the impact of care experience on learning and behaviour.
- Have experience of working with vulnerable children and young people, including Children We Care For and those with complex needs.
- Be confident providing specialist educational advice, challenge and advocacy to schools, educational settings and partner agencies.
- Have experience of working collaboratively with senior leaders, designated teachers and multi-agency partners to remove barriers and improve outcomes.
- Be able to use attendance, attainment, engagement and casework information to identify risk and coordinate proportionate support.
- Demonstrate strong organisational, planning and case management skills.
- Be committed to inclusion, equality and improving the life chances of care-experienced children and young people.
Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.
Reward and Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Annual leave starting at 29 days per year (plus bank holidays)
- A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Agile and flexible working
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24/7
- Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health and leisure activities
- Excellent learning and development opportunities
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This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape practice and improve outcomes for some of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable children and young people.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Lucy Byford at lucy.byford@oxfordshire.gov.uk or (01865) 328550.
Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to: Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to: Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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