General Adviser Post 16 & Alternative Provision in Kendal

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Learning Improvement Service (LIS) supporting our work across the education system in Westmorland and Furness Council. The LIS Team cover several areas including: Early Years, Schools, Alternative Provision, Post 16, SEND, Safeguarding and maintained school governance. This role is focused on schools, colleges and Alternative providers to support educational improvement across the council in their core educational assurance and improvement duties. The role involves working closely with colleagues within the LIS team and across Children’s Services and other Directorates.

We are looking to recruit an experienced, innovative and adaptable education improvement professional to join our Learning Improvement Service Team, who will lead on Post 16 and Alternative Provision and will work across secondary and primary education settings as a General Adviser. The role will include the opportunity to work with multi-agency partners within an enthusiastic, committed team of education improvement professionals, Early Years, Access to Education and SEND colleagues. If successful, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the council team within a self‑improving education system for the benefit of all children and young people in Westmorland and Furness.

The successful applicant will:

• Work with all stakeholders involved in a system‑led collaborative partnership to improve outcomes for all, from Early Years to Post-16 across Westmorland and Furness;
• Support a range of solutions that encourage collaboration and support sector‑led school improvement;
• Have recent substantial and successful experience of senior leadership and school improvement;
• Work closely with the Senior Adviser and Chair of the Local Alliance of System Leaders (LASL) to identify schools, academies, settings and providers in need of support to improve;
• Work with relevant Westmorland and Furness Council and LASL colleagues to ensure that statutory functions are met.

Skills required:

• Excellent, demonstrable communication and interpersonal skills (both oral and written) at all levels.
• Establish quickly effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations.
• Sort, analyse and evaluate information; apply criteria and make judgements.
• Work effectively as an individual and in a team.

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Lesley Nixon (07880457362 / lesley.nixon@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk).

Interview date: 30/09/2026

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check. Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with Children. It is an offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with Children.