Volunteer Community Advocate at ATLP Schools

What will you be doing?

The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership is seeking to appoint four dedicated, self-motivated and talented advocates for each of its 21 schools within the Trust. Each individual will have specific responsibilities in one of the following areas: Safeguarding, Vulnerable Children, Community engagement, Support and Challenge. The Community Engagement Advocate will ideally be involved in community activities and is aware of opportunities that the school can avail itself of, and help promote the school:

Act as the local interface between trustees of the ATLP Trust, the school and its community to pursue the line of enquiry 'To what extent is the school engaging with its local community'? Maximise local community perspective and stakeholder voices that are considered in strategic planning and decision-making processes. Promote the identity and ‘One Trust’ objective of the ATLP with school stakeholders and the wider community. Monitor the school’s reputation within the local community and alert the ATLP of any reputational concerns. *For diocesan schools; ensure the Trust protects the Christian distinctiveness of the school. Assist the ATLP to develop strong community partnerships and link ATLP and its pupils to local opportunities and programmes. Liaise with nominated representatives at the local school on a termly basis Participate in Hub Committee meetings with their peers reporting to Trustees and the school's Strategic Lead on a termly basis. Support the delivery of specific trust policies and procedures relating to Complaints, Disciplinaries and Exclusion appeals.

What are we looking for?

A commitment to maintaining the ethos and values of the ATLP to work to ensure that all ATLP schools can meet the needs of their communities A commitment to high standards of probity and the ability to operate in accordance with the ATLP Governance Handbook, Code of Conduct, the Nolan Principles and legislative requirements Strong verbal & written communication skills Relationship building skills Awareness of local community interests and objectives Experience/ability to work in an advisory role within a framework of collective decision-making in the best interests of a school/s and Trust Analytical and problem solving skills A commitment to equality and diversity

What difference will you make?

In joining the ATLP as an Advocate, you may liaise and directly represent a single school, or a group of schools. Each school in the ATLP is unique and serves a distinct community. Advocates in each role will come together regularly in the form of advocate committees, where each advocate will represent the unique voice of their school/s and communities with trustees and executives to be included and considered in decision-making processes and forums. This is a shift away from traditional local governance in schools, and seeks to help the ATLP retain a balance of strong community ethos and a proactive engagement with local voice alongside the ATLP organisational identity.