LA Education Link Coordinator

We have an exciting opportunity to join Portsmouth City Council's Children, Families and Children Directorate, working alongside education, early help, safeguarding and other partners to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families., As a Local Authority Education Link Coordinator, you will develop strong relationships with schools across Portsmouth, providing practical advice, guidance, support and constructive challenge to help them respond effectively to vulnerable children and families.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will support education settings to recognise early and emerging needs and identify appropriate next steps before those needs escalate. You will act as a consistent point of contact for allocated schools, helping professionals navigate local support, Early Help and multi-agency services.

You will visit your allocated schools regularly and deliver targeted Link and Learn sessions, as well as facilitating solution-focused discussions when school staff need support identifying the best way forward. You will help schools develop effective Family Support Plans, support the transition of cases from Family Help back to schools and provide guidance around children experiencing significant attendance difficulties.

Safeguarding will be central to the role. You will support schools to strengthen their safeguarding and early help practice, including understanding emerging signs of exploitation, and work alongside the PSCP and MASH Education team to promote consistent, joined-up practice. You will also contribute to safeguarding and Early Help training and use information from the Insight Hub to inform conversations with schools.

We are looking for someone with experience of working with children and families within a relevant area such as education, early help, early years or social care. Experience of working within either a safeguarding or education background is essential.

You will have excellent safeguarding knowledge, including an understanding of Portsmouth's Tiers of Need, together with an understanding of effective Family Support Plans and assessments. Knowledge of local services and experience of working in a multi-agency environment will enable you to confidently advise schools and other professionals.

You will be an excellent communicator who can build positive professional relationships while being confident enough to have honest and challenging conversations where practice needs to improve. You will bring a relational and restorative approach, combining high levels of support with appropriate professional challenge.

You will also need to be organised, able to work autonomously and confident managing competing priorities and sensitive information. Good IT skills are required, including the ability to work with data management systems, basic spreadsheets and relevant case management databases.