At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the recruitment and placement of educators in Alternative Provision settings across the UK.
- Company: Dynamic education recruitment firm focused on making a difference in students' lives.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on quality placements and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting educators with students who need them most.
- Qualifications: Experience in education recruitment or SEN staffing is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.
The AP Placement Lead is responsible for the end-to-end fulfilment of Alternative Provision referrals, including sourcing, vetting, matching, and deploying education staff into live placements. You will own the speed, quality, and consistency of placements, ensuring every referral is mobilised quickly with the right educator and maintained effectively throughout delivery. This role has direct impact on revenue, service quality, and commissioner confidence. You will be expected to operate at pace, take ownership, and ensure no placement fails due to staffing.
Scope of Role
- National responsibility for AP placement fulfilment
- Ownership of educator sourcing and deployment
- Management of referral pipeline and placement delivery
- Direct impact on mobilisation timelines and hours delivered
Key Responsibilities
- Referral Ownership & Placement Fulfilment
- Take ownership of incoming referrals from Local Authorities, Schools/PRUs, and SEN teams
- Assess each referral to determine:
- Staffing requirements (teacher, tutor, mentor)
- Required experience (SEMH, autism, trauma, exclusions)
- Delivery model (hours, location, risk level)
- Match suitable educators and confirm placements
- Mobilise placements within 24–72 hours where required
- Track referrals from enquiry through to active delivery
- Education Staff Sourcing & Recruitment
- Build and maintain a reliable pool of educators including:
- SEN Teachers
- Tutors
- Behaviour Mentors
- HLTA / TA staff
- Source candidates via job boards, LinkedIn, and referrals
- Conduct screening focused on:
- SEN/SEMH experience
- Behaviour management capability
- Suitability for 1:1 and community-based AP settings
- Maintain a pipeline of “ready-to-deploy” staff
- Placement Matching & Deployment
- Match educators based on:
- Skillset and experience
- Location and travel
- Availability and reliability
- Coordinate timetables and session delivery
- Ensure all placements are fully staffed and covered
- Manage urgent gaps, sickness, and replacements without disruption
- Maintain continuity of staffing to prevent placement breakdown
- Placement Management & Quality Control
- Act as the primary operational contact for live placements
- Monitor:
- Attendance
- Engagement
- Staff performance
- Address issues early, including:
- Staff suitability concerns
- Behavioural challenges
- Engagement risks
- Adjust or replace staffing where required to maintain stability
- Compliance & Safeguarding
- Ensure all staff are fully compliant prior to deployment:
- Enhanced DBS
- Right to work
- References
- Qualifications
- Maintain accurate safeguarding and compliance records
- Ensure all placements operate in line with Department for Education guidance
- Escalate safeguarding concerns appropriately
- Stakeholder & Client Coordination
- Liaise with:
- Local Authority caseworkers
- Social workers
- SEN officers
- Schools
- Provide clear and timely updates on:
- Placement start dates
- Staffing arrangements
- Risks or issues
- Build strong commissioner confidence through consistent delivery
- Systems, Tracking & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records of:
- Referral pipeline
- Staff availability
- Active placements
- Ensure all sessions and hours are correctly recorded
- Support reporting on:
- Placement coverage
- Hours delivered vs commissioned hours
- Staff utilisation
Key Performance Indicators
- Referral to placement time: 24–72 hours
- Placement fill rate: ~95%
- Staff utilisation rate
- Placement stability (low turnover per case)
- Compliance completion: 100% prior to deployment
- Hours delivered vs commissioned hours
Experience
- Experience in education recruitment OR SEN / Alternative Provision staffing
- Proven ability to fill roles quickly under pressure
- Experience managing multiple live placements or bookings simultaneously
- Strong understanding of:
- SEMH needs
- Behavioural challenges
- Complex young people
Desirable Experience
- Experience working with Local Authorities or AP providers
- Knowledge of SEN frameworks and referral pathways
- Background in education, youth work, or SEN services
Key Skills
- Strong recruitment and talent-matching ability
- Excellent organisation and scheduling skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
- Strong communication and stakeholder management
- Problem-solving and decision-making under pressure
Personal Attributes
- Highly proactive and responsive
- Resilient and calm under pressure
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability
- Detail-oriented with high standards
- Driven by results and delivery
What Success Looks Like
- Referrals are filled quickly with the right educators
- Minimal delays or gaps in placement delivery
- Strong, reliable pool of educators
- High placement stability and continuity
- Positive feedback from commissioners and partners
Education Recruitment Consultant / Senior Consultant in Birmingham employer: Acqhired
Contact Detail:
Acqhired Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Recruitment Consultant / Senior Consultant in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a role. You never know who might have the perfect lead for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive! Instead of waiting for job postings, directly contact schools or organisations that interest you. Express your passion for education recruitment and ask if they have any upcoming needs. This shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their values. Tailor your responses to highlight how your skills align with their mission, especially around staffing and placement fulfilment. Show them you’re the right fit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join us at StudySmarter!
We think you need these skills to ace Education Recruitment Consultant / Senior Consultant in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Education Recruitment Consultant role. Highlight your experience in education recruitment or working with SEN, and show us how you can meet the specific needs of our placements.
Showcase Your Skills: We want to see your strong organisational and communication skills shine through. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you've successfully managed multiple placements or worked under pressure.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and relevant experiences are easy to spot. This helps us quickly see why you're a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes tracking your application easier for both of us.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acqhired
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the ins and outs of education recruitment, especially in Alternative Provision. Brush up on key terms like SEMH, behaviour management, and the specific needs of different educational settings. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also knowledgeable about it.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in education recruitment or working with SEN/Alternative Provision. Have specific examples ready that highlight your ability to fill roles quickly and manage multiple placements. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the fast-paced environment of the job.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Think of scenarios where you've had to solve problems under pressure, especially related to staffing or placement issues. Be ready to share how you addressed challenges and maintained placement stability. This will illustrate your proactive approach and resilience.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you'll be liaising with various stakeholders, practice how you would communicate updates and address concerns. Show that you can build strong relationships and maintain commissioner confidence through effective communication. This is crucial for success in the role.