Head of Alternative Education - Quantock Outdoor Education in Taunton

Location: Taunton

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £45,000-£50,000

Hours of work: Full Time, Monday to Friday 08:30am to 4:30pm (paid 30 minute lunch break)

Opportunity: Empower Family Group is looking for an ambitious, experienced, and strategically minded Head of Alternative Education to lead and grow our Alternative Provision (AP). Currently centred around our Quantock Outdoor Education Service based in Taunton, this role will be responsible for overseeing, developing and expanding Empowers AP across the South West. This is a newly created, senior role that represents an exciting moment in our journey and a genuine opportunity to shape something from the ground up. You will work closely with our Director and wider leadership team to build a high quality, sustainable and impactful provision that makes a real difference to the children and the Young People that we support. This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident and driven leader who is passionate about outdoor learning and making a meaningful difference. You’ll play a key role in shaping the service, unlocking opportunities for growth, supporting staff, and ensuring every young person benefits from a safe, engaging, and enriching experience. This role also holds service responsibility as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), promoting a strong safeguarding culture and ensuring the wellbeing of all learners.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the day-to-day delivery of outdoor education programmes, ensuring high standards of care.
• Oversee curriculum design, implementation, and continuous improvement to meet the needs of all young people.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, local authorities, parents, and external professionals.
• Manage referrals and bookings, ensuring appropriate placements and effective planning.
• Supervise, support, and develop staff through regular supervisions, appraisals, and training opportunities.
• Ensure robust health and safety procedures are in place, including risk assessments.
• Monitor service quality through observations, feedback, and performance tracking.
• Maintain accurate records, including safeguarding logs, reports, and operational documentation.
• Contribute to the strategic growth and implement change that encourages the development of the service, business cases and funding bids that support sustainable growth.

About Us: Empower Family Group’s Quantock Outdoor Education service provides enriching outdoor learning experiences for children and young people, many of whom may face additional challenges or barriers to engagement. Through structured and therapeutic outdoor activities, we support young people to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and independence. Our programmes combine practical outdoor skills with personal, social, and emotional development. We are proud to offer a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment based on our Farm on the outskirts of Taunton, delivered by a dedicated team of skilled activity leaders and support workers who are passionate about helping young people thrive.

Right to Work: This role is only open to applicants who have the legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to consider applications from individuals who do not hold ILR, Settled Status, Pre-Settled Status, or another form of long-term work authorisation. Proof of right to work will be required before employment. All offers of employment are subject to verification of ID and right to work checks, satisfactory references, and an enhanced DBS check, in line with our safer recruitment policy.

Commitment to Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, in line with the principles set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018). All staff are expected to uphold these principles and contribute to a culture of vigilance, accountability, and child-centred practice. As part of our safer recruitment process, all applicants will undergo thorough background checks, including references from the last two employers and an enhanced DBS check. Safeguarding training is mandatory and forms a core part of our induction and ongoing development.

Commitment to Inclusion: We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background, identity, or lived experience. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Requirements:

• Proven experience at a senior level working in an alternative provision or education settings.
• Track record of developing, growing and improving alternative provisions or education settings.
• Strong understanding of alternative provisions or education settings including commissioning, local authority relationships, and the needs of young people.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and risk management.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team as well as being able to work independently.
• Experience working with children and young people, including SEN.
• Experience developing and delivering curriculum-based programmes and championing change and improvement.
• Understanding of principles of child development and learning processes and in particular, barriers to learning.
• Resilient, self-reflective and willingness to develop your own skills.
• Knowledge of EHCP processes and multi-agency working.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain).

Benefits:

• 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays).
• Free personable mortgage advice.
• Access to the Blue Light Card (discounts).
• Access to a staff discount scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health and Wellbeing support via the Wisdom app.
• NEST pension.
• Paid training and development opportunities.
• Paid 30 minutes lunch break.