We have an exciting opportunity for a permanent full‑time Children and Learning Services Academy Manager to join Southampton City Council (SCC) in the Quality Assurance Service.
The Children and Learning Academy promotes practice excellence through the delivery of training and resources informed by legislation, policies and initiatives to support a highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of and safeguard children, young people and families in Southampton. The Academy supports students, newly qualified staff and the whole workforce to develop in their careers to enable the best service is provided to children, young people and their families.
The Academy manager will be responsible for providing leadership and line management for the team of practice consultants and support assistants. They will inspire clear vision and ensure that the training needs of the service are continually analysed, working with internal staff and external consultants to promote the working towards agreed objectives linked to the directorate aims and targets.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development of training across the service and contribute to policy formulation, ensuring this is in line with local and national developments
- Promote and support the recruitment and retention of staff
- Lead on the procurement and commissioning of external training providers and source internal subject experts to deliver high standards of training packages
- Ensure there is a robust NQSW programme
- Quality assure the activities of the Academy learning and development programme
For further information about this role please view the job description.
About you
- You will have a graduate level qualification, preferable with a post‑graduate professional management qualification and / or recognised qualified teacher status and / or experienced learning and development specialist
- You will have experience of conducting training needs analyses to identify mandatory and core training needs
- You will have experience of responding to the needs of customers to develop services and to promote the participation of children and families as appropriate
- You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of equality issues and how they affect the workplace and individual behaviours
- You will have experience of supporting organisational medium‑ and long‑term planning in all areas of accountability
- You will be able to drive forward learning across teams and services, understanding their needs and working closely with managers to support the very best practice for children and families
If you feel you have the necessary background, experience, and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you.
What we can offer you
Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.
- Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role‑dependent)
- Family‑friendly policies – Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran‑friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits – low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
For further information on our benefits package please visit
Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)
Contact details for informal discussion
For further information and details regarding the Academy Manager position please contact Rebecca Holdsworth, Head of Service partnership and practice on 02380 91 7671 or at Rebecca.holdsworth@southampton.gov.uk
Recruitment contact details
Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk Tel: 023 8083 4033
For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council
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Children & Learning Services Academy Manager in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
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