AUTISM AND NEURODIVERSITY PRACTICE LEAD

John Ruskin College; Redhill; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Two pension schemes

Life assurance

Free onsite parking

Fully equipped gym

Spa and salon discounts

Job summary

John Ruskin College is seeking an enthusiastic Autism & Neurodiversity Practice Lead to provide professional, operational and specialist leadership for a defined SEND area across Orbital South Colleges Group. You will help ensure high-quality, inclusive practice for neurodiverse learners, supporting them to engage, progress and achieve outcomes.

Working within the Inclusion and Wellbeing team, you will lead a structured autism and neurodiversity support offer, coordinate identification,

Qualifications

• Qualified in SEND, autism/neurodiversity, education, wellbeing, or willingness to pursue one.
• Experience supporting young people in education or related settings.
• Knowledge of SEND Code of Practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional and operational leadership for neurodiverse provision across college group.
• Line manage Learning Support staff and support workforce development.
• Coordinate autism and neurodiversity support to ensure effective identification, intervention and impact.

Skills

SEND knowledge

Engagement strategies

Safeguarding understanding

Stakeholder relationships

Team working

Education

SEND qualification

Job description

Autism and Neurodiversity Practice Lead

• Job Type: Support
• Job Category: Supported Learning
• Employment Basis: Established (salaried)
• Location: John Ruskin College - Croydon, East Surrey College - Redhill
• Salary Range: £36,721 per annum (full-time equivalent). Actual salary: £33,981 per annum, based on a 40-week working year.
• Closing Date: 11/10/2026

Documents

• OSC Corporation Competency Framework.pdf (PDF, 472.18kb)
• Autism and Neurodiversity Practice Lead JD & PS.pdf (PDF, 194.34kb)

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Autism & Neurodiversity Practice Lead to provide professional, operational and specialist leadership for a defined area of SEND provision across Orbital South Colleges Group. In this role, you will help ensure high-quality, consistent and inclusive practice for neurodiverse learners, supporting them to engage, progress, develop independence and achieve successful outcomes.

Working as part of our Inclusion and Wellbeing team, you will lead and coordinate a structured autism and neurodiversity support offer, ensuring effective identification, intervention and support for full-time students, apprentices and adult learners. Support will be clearly planned, outcomes-focused and effectively monitored, with a strong focus on impact.

You will also line manage a team of Learning Support staff, support workforce development, contribute to quality improvement activities and help shape a consistent, college-wide approach to neurodiverse provision.

What We're Looking For

• A relevant qualification in SEND, autism/neurodiversity, education, wellbeing or a related field, or willingness to work towards one.
• Experience working with and supporting young people in an educational or related setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience applying strategies to improve learner engagement, attendance and retention.
• An understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and child protection procedures.
• Knowledge of autism, neurodiversity and inclusive practice.
• The ability to build positive relationships with learners, staff and external agencies.

Benefits

• In return, we offer a competitive salary, as well as staff benefits such a choice of two excellent pension schemes, life assurance, free onsite parking and access to our fully equipped gym along with discounted in house Spa and Salon treatments.

Orbital South Colleges Group are committed to Equal Opportunities, encouraging applications from all sectors of the community to reflect our diverse student population.

We are also committed to PREVENT and Safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Both College Campus' are smoke-free zones.

As part of our pre-employment checks, successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS, references will be taken and evidence of all qualifications and awards will also be required before commencement of employment. Failure to do so may lead to offers being withdrawn.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK as we do not sponsor work permits, and work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.