educating your community in local government

 

Introduction

Local government education advisers work with all schools in their allocated area to provide direct support and advice for teachers, head teachers, parents, councillors and governors.  Education advisers also have a strategic role in contributing to a local council’s children and young people’s policies and action plans.

They work in county, unitary and metropolitan councils and are sometimes known as education officers.

Work Environment

Local government education advisers are office-based, but also spend time visiting the schools allocated to them.

They work normal office hours - 37 per week and may have to attend some evening meetings.  Jobshare and other flexible working arrangements may be available.

Daily Activities

The work of a local government education adviser is extremely varied and includes both providing direct operational guidance and support, as well as being able to take a strategic role in council education activities.  Duties might include some or all of the following:

• responding to a range of complex enquiries from teachers, head teachers, parents, governors and councillors and initiating action where necessary;
• providing advice and guidance on developing and implementing appropriate school policies and procedures; 
• managing any complaints received about schools by providing impartial advice and guidance to teachers, governors and parents;
• providing mediation within a school’s complaints procedure if required;
• supporting head teachers in difficult or emergency situations, for example, a fire, a missing pupil, the death of a pupil or member of staff;
• working closely with colleagues in the school improvement service to monitor schools’ performance;
• providing reports and information for councillors;
• providing advice to new or acting head teachers;
• getting involved in particular council education projects and initiatives such as raising the achievement of boys, reducing truancy or exclusion, or improving standards of ethnic minority pupils in the area;
• identifying and disseminating good practice across schools and promoting partnership working among schools and confederations;
• delivering training for teachers and governors.

Skills & Interests

Local government education advisers need:

• a good knowledge of how schools and the education system work;
• excellent interpersonal skills in order to communicate with a range of different people;
• good conflict resolution and mediation skills;
• good organisation and report writing skills;
• an ability to work on their own initiative and manage projects;
• good analytical skills and ability to interpret data.

Entry Requirements

Applicants for local government education adviser positions usually need to be qualified teachers with recent, relevant experience of teaching in schools.  However, entry at assistant adviser level might not require teaching qualifications.

They also need an up to date knowledge of the latest developments in education and children and young people’s policies, locally and nationally.

Estimated salary range

Local government education advisers usually earn around £35,000.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

There is a progression route within a local council from assistant education adviser, through to education adviser and senior education adviser.  With relevent experience, some staff could progress to senior management positions within education and children and young people’s services.

Local government education advisers might also choose to specialise, for example in school improvement or curriculum development.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Educating Your Community.

Further Information & Services

Education jobs www.eteach.com

Association of Professionals in Education and Children’s Trusts www.aspect.org.uk

OFSTED www.ofsted.gov.uk

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library - under AC and F.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Education Adviser vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - our official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers - The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in - ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.