Jobs

Regional Adoption Agency Education Adviser - exciting new opportunity to enhance the support offer for adoptive children and their families through the provision of education expertise with Adopt Coast to Coast.   
 
We are seeking a qualified and experienced teacher who is passionate about making a difference to children’s outcomes and is looking for a new challenge, temporary for 2 years. 
 
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
The role provides the vital education perspective for a multi-disciplinary team in the Durham and Together for Children spokes within Adopt Coast to Coast, the regional adoption agency for Durham County Council and Together for Children, which delivers children’s services on behalf of Sunderland City Council. The post holder will support individual adopted children and their families, and the adoption team, through provision of knowledge, advice, and multi-agency working to ensure that adopted children are fully supported in educational settings. The role will involve direct support to the post adoption social worker, and child/family where educational issues are present, and training, advice and support to schools. The role will support the awareness of the needs of adopted children in schools. 
This post is a pilot funded for 2 years to test out the benefits of educational expertise as part of the core adoption support offer. 
 
We encourage you to contact Paula Gibbons, Head of Service, Adopt Coast to Coast via email at paula.gibbons@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.  
 
WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will need -

• A Teaching qualification and post qualifying experience.
• Have Qualified Teacher Status
• Have Completed ECT 1 and 2 (if applicable)
• Experience of working in an education-based setting, or role.
• Ability to contribute to partnership working with the adoption staff and other professional disciplines to inform a holistic adoption support plan.
• Attend and lead meetings ensuring clear actions and outcomes are recorded and shared.
• Able to challenge other professionals through the use of supporting evidence when required.
• Advocate on behalf of adopted children with other professionals including Virtual Schools 

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.  
If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Children’s Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation
 
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 26th May 2026
 
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
 
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website
Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
 
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
 
HOW TO APPLY 
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.
Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support to your application and for guidance on completing your application.
 
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentCYPS@durham.gov.uk
 
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
 
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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 8 £32,597 - £36,363

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Teaching Assistant