Additional Learning Support - Group Finance and Funding Lead

Bedford College Group; Bedford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Group Finance and Funding Lead to manage the Additional Learning Support funding functions. Candidates must have a strong background in ALS funding administration, along with excellent organizational and communication skills. The role involves preparing funding requests, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring compliance with funding regulations. Strong IT skills are essential. This is a full-time, permanent position with a salary range of £29,316 to £34,394, along with generous benefits including annual leave and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

People's pension

Retail and Leisure Discounts

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant background in ALS funding administration and compliance.
• Strong understanding of SEND Code of Practice (2014) and funding regulations.
• Ability to maintain data accuracy and comply with funding regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the ALS funding function ensuring compliance.
• Prepare and submit High Needs funding requests.
• Track approvals and process invoices and refunds.

Skills

Advanced IT proficiency (Microsoft Office, Pro‑Solution)

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to analyze complex data

Commitment to safeguarding and equality

Education

GCSE English and Maths (A‑C) or equivalent

Level 3 and Level 5 in Business Administration

Tools

Pro‑Solution

Job description

Additional Learning Support - Group Finance and Funding Lead

Role: Additional Learning Support - Group Finance and Funding Lead

Location: This is a Group Wide role

Salary/Benefits: Salary is between £29,316 and £34,394 per annum DOE and Qualifications, 27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays, People's pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.

Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week - 52 weeks per year

Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

About the role:

We are currently seeking a Group Finance and Funding Lead to join our Foundation Learning and Additional Learning Support department at The Bedford College Group.

As a Finance and Funding Lead, you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Role Purpose - Lead and manage the ALS funding function across The Bedford College Group, ensuring compliance with funding regulations and maximising income streams for High Needs and SEND learners.
• Funding Management - Prepare and submit High Needs funding requests, track approvals, process invoices and refunds, reconcile payments, and monitor ALS expenditure with accurate reporting.
• Data Integrity - Oversee ALS claims via Pro‑Solution, maintain robust data accuracy, and liaise with curriculum teams and practitioners to gather reliable information for funding compliance.
• Process & Compliance - Review and streamline ALS funding processes, ensure adherence to ESFA and Local Authority rules, and respond to internal and external queries efficiently.
• Statutory Duties - Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, and health & safety; engage in ongoing training and development to maintain professional standards.

About you:

• Qualifications - GCSE English and Maths (A‑C) or equivalent; Level 3 and Level 5 in Business Administration (or willingness to achieve).
• Experience - Significant background in ALS funding administration and compliance, with strong understanding of SEND Code of Practice (2014) and funding regulations.
• Technical Skills - Advanced IT proficiency (Microsoft Office, Pro‑Solution), excellent administrative and record‑keeping skills, and ability to analyse and present complex data accurately.
• Core Competencies - Strong communication, report writing, organisational skills, ability to prioritise workload, work under pressure, innovate, and adapt to change while maintaining high performance.
• Values & Attributes - Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, and health & safety; flexible approach, willingness to travel, continuous professional development, and alignment with TBCG values.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Interviews to be held: 23 January 2026

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
• Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About The Bedford College Group

The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.

Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College, Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land‑based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford; The Corby Sixth Form, opened in September 2023; and the National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community‑based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students

The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group’s policy on Employment of Ex‑Offenders is attached to this vacancy.

Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.