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- Tasks: Lead and manage strategies for Alternative Provision, ensuring quality education for vulnerable learners.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on inclusive education and support for young people.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children who need alternative educational pathways.
- Qualifications: Degree in education or social care, with experience in SEND or inclusion services.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strong potential for career growth and impact.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
- To lead, develop, and manage the Local Authority’s strategy, systems, and processes for Alternative Provision (AP), ensuring high-quality education and outcomes for children and young people who cannot access mainstream education.
- To oversee commissioning, quality assurance, and monitoring of AP providers, ensuring they meet statutory requirements and deliver inclusive, safe, and effective provision.
- To work collaboratively with schools, families, providers, and multi-agency partners to ensure early intervention, effective placement, and smooth reintegration into education.
- To contribute to the Local Authority’s statutory duties in relation to education, SEND, and safeguarding.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership
- Lead on the development, implementation, and monitoring of the LA’s Alternative Provision strategy in line with statutory requirements and local priorities.
- Support the Service Manager in shaping policy, procedures, and commissioning arrangements for AP, ensuring value for money and high-quality outcomes.
- Provide expert advice and guidance to schools, colleagues, and partners regarding AP pathways and statutory responsibilities.
Operational Management
- Oversee day-to-day management of referrals, placements, and monitoring of children and young people in AP.
- Manage and quality-assure contracts, service level agreements, and provider relationships.
- Ensure compliance with Ofsted, DfE, and safeguarding expectations.
- Monitor attendance, attainment, progress, and reintegration of pupils accessing AP, identifying trends and reporting on impact.
Partnership & Collaboration
- Work closely with schools, academies, colleges, providers, and social care to ensure coordinated support for children and young people.
- Build positive relationships with parents/carers and young people to ensure that their voice informs provision and planning.
- Develop multi-agency approaches to support vulnerable learners and reduce exclusions.
Data & Reporting
- Maintain robust systems for data collection, analysis, and reporting on AP usage, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness.
- Prepare reports and briefings for senior managers, elected members, and external agencies.
Safeguarding & Inclusion
- Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are embedded across all AP commissioning and monitoring activities.
- Promote inclusion, equity, and access to education for all children, particularly those with SEND or facing additional vulnerabilities.
Person Specification
- Degree-level qualification in education, social care, or a related field (essential).
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent education-related qualification (desirable).
- Evidence of continuous professional development in leadership, safeguarding, or SEND (essential).
- Substantial experience working within education, SEND, or inclusion services (essential).
- Proven track record of managing or commissioning alternative provision, PRUs, or specialist services (essential).
- Experience of partnership working with schools, multi-agency teams, and families (essential).
- Experience of managing budgets, contracts, and service level agreements (desirable).
- Experience of using data to evaluate impact and drive service improvement (essential).
- Strong knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance, and policy relating to Alternative Provision, SEND, exclusions, and safeguarding (essential).
- Understanding of effective practice in inclusive education and reintegration (essential).
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills with a range of stakeholders (essential).
- Ability to analyse complex information and produce clear, concise reports for different audiences (essential).
- Strong organisational and project management skills (essential).
Why Choose Ackerman Pierce?Ackerman Pierce calls upon over 15 years' worth of experience in recruiting directly into the Social Work Sector. We can offer a unique experience within recruitment where you have your own personal consultant, a DBS and Compliance service with a quick and easy registration process. We pride ourselves on a guaranteed weekly payment process.To discuss this vacancy further or any other opportunities, please contact Elise Revett or email in your updated CV to us at Ackerman Pierce.
Alternative Provision Operational Lead employer: Ackerman Pierce
Contact Detail:
Ackerman Pierce Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Alternative Provision Operational Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved with Alternative Provision. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in SEND and Alternative Provision. We want you to show off your knowledge and passion for inclusive education, so brush up on relevant policies and best practices.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We’ve got all the resources you need to make your application stand out, plus it’s a great way to ensure your CV lands directly in the right hands.
We think you need these skills to ace Alternative Provision Operational Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Alternative Provision Operational Lead role. Highlight your experience in education, SEND, and any relevant leadership roles. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about alternative provision and how you can contribute to our goals. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved outcomes for children and young people in previous roles. We’re all about results here at StudySmarter!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ackerman Pierce
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Local Authority’s strategy for Alternative Provision. Brush up on relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and policies related to SEND and safeguarding. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed or commissioned alternative provision. Highlight your experience in partnership working with schools and multi-agency teams, as this is crucial for the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would build relationships with schools, families, and providers. Be ready to discuss strategies for effective communication and collaboration. Demonstrating your ability to engage with various stakeholders will set you apart as a candidate who can foster positive partnerships.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role involves monitoring attendance and progress, be prepared to talk about how you’ve used data to evaluate impact and drive improvements in previous positions. Bring examples of reports or analyses you’ve conducted, and be ready to discuss how you would apply this in the context of Alternative Provision.
