Learning Support Lead

Gen 2 is currently recruiting and looking for a Learning Support Lead. This is a fantastic full-time opportunity to join our business here in Cumbria. You will be contracted to one of our 3 centres, here in Cumbria but we would like you to be flexible to travel between Workington, Carlisle and Ulverston as required. Ideally, we would like you to visit each centre at least once a week, so a driving licence and access to a car is required; however, Gen 2 will cover all the travel expenses between your contract location and other sites.

This role will suit somebody who is currently in a similar role or a Teacher with a minimum L4 Teaching Qualification who has a particular interest in Learning Support. We would like you to hold OR be willing to work towards Level 7 Assessing for Access Arrangements qualification. Gen2 would be willing to put any suitable applicant through their L7 Assessing and for Access Arrangements.

The Learning Support Lead is responsible for identifying, coordinating, and delivering effective learning support for learners with diverse needs. Through cognitive assessments—such as those provided by Cognassist and one-to-one discussions - the postholder will develop tailored support strategies that improve learner retention, achievement, and independence. This role champions inclusivity, neurodiversity, and equality while ensuring that all learners are supported throughout their learning journey.

This role will be to work with all of our learners; the majority of our learners are apprentices but you will also work with employability learners, adult learners and learners who are on our bootcamps. Our learners are predominantly 16-18 years when they start with us. Our students are genuinely interested in what we teach them and demonstrate some exceptional learner behaviours.

By joining Gen2 you will also benefit from 25 days holidays and Christmas Closure. You do not need to take holiday in term time so you have freedom on deciding when you will be off. City & Guilds are a Disability confident employer. Please let us know if you require any support/adjustments at your interview and if successful any adjustments needed to support you in your role.

This appointment will be made on merit. We believe that diversity and inclusion strengthen and enrich us, and that it is the responsibility of everyone at the City & Guilds Group to drive this value. As ethnic minority groups and disabled people are currently under-represented within the Group, we particularly encourage and welcome applications from these communities.

Experience: Experienced

Salary: up to £42,000 depending on qualification, skills and experience

Type of role: Permanent

Full-time or part-time: Full-time

Location: UK, Workington

Closing date: 18/01/2026

What you will be doing:

• Leadership & Strategic Oversight
• Lead and coordinate organisation-wide learning support provision and act as lead advisor on all aspects of learning support at Gen2
• Oversee implementation and maintenance of support systems and processes
• Manage initial assessment using the Cognassist platform to ensure accurate identification of learner support needs
• Ensure dissemination of cognitive assessment results and follow-up by creating Learning Support Plans
• Develop and deploy learning support resources and manage resource centres
• Ensure compliance with funding requirements for Additional Learning Support

Assessment & Personalised Support Planning:

• Conduct and interpret cognitive assessments from the Cognassist platform
• Create and communicate meaningful Individual Learning Support Plans (ILPs)
• Evaluate in-class support and ensure real-time responsiveness
• Monitor and report on support provision for quality assurance and self-assessment

Teaching Support & Staff Development:

• Train and equip educators with inclusive teaching strategies
• Facilitate staff development in learning support
• Advise curriculum teams on support options and conduct audits

Learner Engagement & Mentoring:

• Deliver mentoring sessions focused on mental health and academic barriers
• Support learners during transitional phases to promote independence
• Manage learner caseloads via 1:1 and group support formats
• Undertake learner voice activities to strengthen engagement

Wellbeing & Emotional Support:

• Liaise with Mental Health First Aiders and counselling services
• Provide interventions for learners facing disengagement or disaffection
• Address personal challenges such as anxiety, concentration, and time management

Collaborative Partnerships:

• Work with internal teams: academic, exams, student services
• Collaborate with external partners and support agencies
• Coordinate learner transitions in partnership with schools and other organisations

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI):

• Promote a culture of EDI across all aspects of educational delivery
• Ensure all learners receive fair access to learning support and exam arrangements
• Act with integrity in promoting inclusive education practices

About you:

• Teaching qualification minimum at Level 4 or above (e.g., QTS, QTLS, PGCE, HLTA, DTLLS)
• Hold OR willing to work towards Level 7 Assessing for Access Arrangements (JCQ requirement)
• Strong understanding of SEND, especially in post-16 education
• In-depth awareness of the education sector and common learner challenges
• Knowledge of learning support strategies and their impact on academic engagement
• Understanding of personal difficulties and mental health issues affecting young people
• Experience conducting assessments and writing reports for exam access arrangements
• Proven success supporting learners with diverse needs and disabilities
• Track record of delivering targeted, impactful learning support
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or counselling learners individually and in groups
• Skilled in signposting learners to appropriate support services
• Excellent communication: presentations, one-to-ones, report writing, and workshop delivery
• Effective planning and time-management skills
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries in challenging circumstances
• Collaborative mindset with ability to influence cross-functional teams and external partners
• Inspiring interpersonal style with a talent for motivating others
• Integrity-driven approach promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion

What we offer:

We offer the opportunity to work in an innovative, engaging and market-leading organisation with opportunities to develop your existing skills and explore new ones. You’ll receive an excellent benefits package which typically includes a great base salary, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, enhanced pension and many other benefits. Employees' health and wellbeing is very important to the Group, and we have a range of tools available to help employees with their mental health and wellbeing and lots more besides. We also provide access to a Group wide Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate checks including reference checks as well as providing proof of the right to work in the UK. The position applied for will be subject to a criminal record disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service. It is an offence to apply for a role working with children if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Next steps and how to apply:

If you think this is the role and organisation for you then we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and complete our short application form using the apply button. We shortlist for our vacancies on an ongoing basis, and we may close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. Please can you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.