Job Coach in Kingston upon Thames

Salary: Grade 6/SO1 £29,531.18 - £33,625.15 (FTE £34,487 - £39,268,) per annum inclusive of London Weighting Allowance

Location: Kingston

Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding Specialist College (Ofsted, November 2019) offering life-changing learning opportunities to young people and adults with a range of special education needs and/or disabilities. We have ten vibrant community-based College Centres across London and Surrey where committed, specialist teams deliver a range of programmes to meet the needs of over 400 students. Students who study with us have a wide range of needs including profound and multiple learning disabilities, communication and behavioural difficulties and specific medical needs. All students are individuals, and their learning programme is designed to support and empower them to achieve their aspirations and goals, whilst developing skills to become more independent members of their community.

We are currently seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Job Coach to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual passionate about education and making a real difference in the lives of our students.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide personalised job-coaching, classroom support, and workplace rotation guidance using Systematic Instruction to help learners develop skills and achieve their vocational goals.
• Work collaboratively with each learner to create and regularly review tailored vocational profiles, Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), targets, and required documentation, including evidence tracking and risk assessments.
• Engage proactively with external employers to identify suitable work placements, promote the benefits of employing people with SEND, and support employers with training, job analysis, and job matching activities.
• Provide continuous support as learners transition into employment, work closely with tutors and the curriculum team to prioritise support, and uphold all safeguarding, equality, and health and safety requirements.

Key Requirements

• Experience of working effectively and supporting students into employment with barriers to learning including NEET, SEND, including those who may communicate using challenging behaviour.
• Experience of establishing networks and developing, managing and delivering projects with various stakeholders including the private, voluntary and statutory sectors.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students with barriers to learning, including those who may communicate using challenging behaviour.
• Experience of developing and delivering programmes of activities with young people both individually and in groups, which enables them to pursue their learning to enhance their future development into employment.
• Ability to approach prospective employers and other stakeholders to create and maintain all necessary links and partnerships in support of employment.

Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Benefits and Perks

• Pension Scheme – you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme.
• Employee Wellbeing – We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments.
• Employee Discounts – Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more.
• Other – Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme.

The College is an Academy sponsor and established Orchard Hill College Academy Trust in 2013 which is home to 13 special schools. Together Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust provide for over 1500 pupils and students with SEN across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our vacancies page.

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential. As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities. It is an exciting time to be part of OHC and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment. We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered. Interviews will take place on: 29th June 2026. To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.