Permanent
Full time 29 - 37 hours per week
Job Purpose:
The main function of this role is to act as an education advocate for post 16 looked after young people ensuring that any barriers to success are challenged while promoting a culture of high aspiration for every individual in Local Authority Care. We aim for their achievement and progress to be at least in line with their peers. This post will also work to reduce those young people not in education employment and training by leading on aspirational events for all our Looked after children and liaison with schools and colleges to raise the profile of this cohort and share effective strategies.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
The Virtual School Headteacher holds overall responsibility for the educational outcomes for all Looked After Children. Each Area Learning Advocate will ensure that they track and promote the educational achievement of every child in the cohort they are responsible for and report directly to the Virtual School Headteacher. They will also ensure that Looked After Children access the best possible provision and that schools/colleges address any specific needs or barriers that get in the way of progress and achievement. They will have regular and direct contact with senior staff in schools/Colleges raising concerns about educational progress
Devon has over 700 Children Looked After aged between 0 and 18 years. From the age of 2, all Children in Care will be eligible for a high-quality educational setting if that is appropriate for them.
The Area Learning Advocates will be the key point of contact for a wide range of schools and settings and must ensure that Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are targeted to improve and maximise educational opportunities and outcomes.
The Area Learning Advocates will link closely with assigned Social Workers and Managers in Social Care, Headteachers, Designated Teachers and other key professionals. The Area Learning Advocate will get to know their cohort of Looked After Children well and champion their individual education needs to secure better outcomes for them.
Every Local Authority is required to monitor and promote the attainment of Looked After Children. Unless aspirations are proven to be high and individual Looked After Children are actively supported, they will fail. The impact of failure will be huge on the rest of their lives.
The Area Learning Advocate will:
The post is permanent and working days are negotiable at
29-37 hours per week.
Job description