Policy Adviser - Early Years & Children's Social Care

Are you looking for an exciting and stretching role which would suit someone with an interest in education, early years or wider government spending? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

About the Team

We are a high profile, friendly and supportive team with oversight across education budgets, ranging from children's social care and childcare through to schools, further education, and higher education.

Our core role as a spending team is to advise Treasury ministers on education spending proposals, help the DfE to live within their budget, and work with DfE and other parts of the Treasury to ensure that we have an education and skills system which meets the needs of the future economy.

We are a team of 17 people who put a strong emphasis on an inclusive and open culture. We are especially proud of our track record in helping our team members to develop and make the most of the opportunities available whilst being in the team.

About the Job

In this role, you will:

1. Lead the department's funding strategy for children's social care.
2. Support the branch's input into cross-cutting early year's policy.
3. Support the branch's oversight of DfE's delivery of the landmark free childcare expansion.
4. Lead early years and children's social care in-year spending control.

About You

The successful candidate will have strong analytical and judgement skills with the ability to synthesise a range of information and evaluate evidence to make clear recommendations. You will have the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a wide network of partners, and use these formal and informal relationships to deliver your objectives. You'll be able to prioritise and reassess workloads to address short-term issues while continuing to make progress on long-term objectives.

Some of the Benefits our people love!

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King's birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form, or speak to the recruitment team at