Group Senior Policy and Research Officer in Orpington

The Group is looking for someone who will carry out a range of research and policy-related projects to further the work of the Group including London South East Colleges, London South East Academies Trust and the Elevare Education Foundation. This will include:

• Designing and undertaking research and evaluation projects
• Providing a range of policy advice and briefings
• Developing and using an evidence base to support the wider work of the Group

This role will be key in helping us develop our policy, research and insights team, working in a small dynamic team across the Trust’s schools and London South East Colleges. This is an ideal opportunity for someone with a number of years' experience in an applied policy and research setting to use their skills to help the organisation support our learners and staff.

About Us

Elevare Civic Education Group is an umbrella organisation that comprises our Group Organisations, London South East Colleges, London South East Academies Trust and Elevare Education Foundation. The Group rationale is borne from a shared mission, vision and values. It seeks to optimise governance alignment through a Group Strategy and provide efficiencies across the organisations.

Built on charitable principles and a coincidence of interest, the Group ethos is founded upon high-quality teaching and learning, the development of curriculum models fitting each school and cohort, and a core and bespoke school improvement strategy which focuses on our shared strength. The strategic and operational working relationships between the College, Trust and Foundation have been established to optimise collaboration and integration - and to reflect both the next stage of our journey and our growing civic mission.

Collectively the Group annual income is approximately £150m, delivering education to around 15,000 students and employing over 2,000 staff. Elevare meaning to elevate or uplift, captures our mission to raise aspirations and opportunities, while Civic signals our responsibility and commitment to being an anchor institution, at the heart of our communities.

Working at the heart of the operations of the Elevare Civic Education Group, the postholder is a key and important officer who enables and supports strategic leadership across the Elevare Civic Education Group.

The College London South East Colleges (LSEC) is one of London’s largest and most successful further education providers, with seven campuses across Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lambeth and around 1,000 staff. Each year, we support more than 13,000 students through a wide portfolio of vocational courses, apprenticeships and other programmes that are closely aligned to employer and industry need. What brings people to work here, and keeps them here, is the sense of purpose. We exist to change lives through learning, and that ambition runs through everything we do.

Our staff work with learners from all backgrounds, many of whom face significant barriers, and play a direct role in improving social mobility and life chances across south east London and beyond. We are committed to developing our people. This includes high-quality professional development, leadership and management training, and clear opportunities for progression across the College and the wider Group. We encourage colleagues to develop their skills, share expertise and build long-term careers with us, supported by a culture that values collaboration, professionalism and continuous improvement.

We invest heavily in our learning environments, with modern facilities and strong partnerships with employers, universities and local communities. This enables our staff to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality education and training that equips learners with the skills, confidence and resilience to succeed in work and in life.

LSEC is part of the Elevare Civic Education Group, which also sponsors London South East Academies Trust. The Trust is a growing and successful Multi-Academy Trust, currently comprising mainstream, special and alternative provision schools across Bromley, Bexley, Surrey, Sussex and Lambeth. This gives colleagues the opportunity to work within a genuinely joined-up education system, spanning schools, colleges and higher education.

The Group has also recently established the Elevare Education Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and families across the region through targeted programmes and practical support. This reflects our wider civic mission and commitment to making a meaningful difference beyond our campuses. With a combined turnover of around £130m and clear ambitions for growth and improvement, this is an organisation that is forward-looking, values expertise and encourages people to contribute ideas and shape the future. There has rarely been a more interesting time to join us.

Benefits

We offer a highly competitive benefits package, including excellent annual leave and a generous pension through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme depending on role. Additional benefits include:

• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual season ticket loan
• Access to the Discounts for Teachers portal
• Free Wi-Fi access in over 10,000 locations worldwide through Eduroam
• Access to our on-site gym at Bromley campus and discount at other local gyms
• Discounts in our in-house restaurants and on hair and beauty treatments

Equal Opportunities

London South East Colleges is fully committed to equality of opportunity and to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful working environment, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status or marital or partnership status.

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we guarantee an interview to applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected].

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we carry out social media checks on shortlisted candidates to assess suitability for working with children and young people. Our full Safeguarding policy can be found here. Because we work with children and vulnerable adults, all roles are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and, where relevant, a Children’s and/or Adult’s Barred List check. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if these checks are unsatisfactory. Self-disclosure is required as part of the recruitment process, and failure to disclose relevant information or provide a DBS certificate is likely to result in withdrawal of an offer. Our DBS policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on request. All appointments are also subject to verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with Home Office requirements. Original documentation will be required prior to commencement of employment.