Education Quality Assurance Officer

Ackerman Pierce Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority provider is looking for a Quality Assurance Officer to oversee educational quality in Alternative Provision settings. The role involves conducting site visits, producing compliance reports, and collaborating with schools and education officers. Candidates should have significant experience in education or quality assurance and strong analytical skills. Essential is the ability to manage priorities and communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Enhanced DBS clearance is also required.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in education and quality assurance.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and inclusion.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct quality assurance visits to AP settings.
• Produce reports on compliance and effectiveness.
• Work with stakeholders to ensure quality of education.

Skills

Experience in education, inspection, or quality assurance

Understanding of statutory responsibilities relating to Alternative Provision

Analytical and report-writing skills

Communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to manage competing priorities

Education

Qualified teacher status or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Quality Assurance Officer - Alternative Provision (Interim)

Reports to: Alternative Provision Operational Lead

Contract: 5‑Month Interim Position, potential for extension

Rate: £475 PD Umbrella

Job Purpose

The Quality Assurance Officer will play a key role in ensuring that Alternative Provision (AP) commissioned or used by the Local Authority provides high‑quality education, safeguarding, and welfare for all children and young people. The postholder will work closely with Education Officers, AP providers, schools, and wider partners to monitor, evaluate, and improve the quality of provision. They will provide professional oversight, identify areas for development, and support continuous improvement in line with statutory guidance and local authority standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct regular visits to Alternative Provision settings to quality‑assure the work of Education Officers and the overall quality of education, safeguarding, and pastoral support offered.
• Use agreed quality assurance frameworks and evaluation tools to assess compliance, effectiveness, and impact.
• Review individual pupil records, learning plans, attendance, and outcomes to ensure provision is appropriate, personalised, and meets statutory requirements.
• Produce clear, evidence‑based reports highlighting strengths, risks, and areas for improvement.
• Monitor the implementation of agreed actions and provide follow‑up evaluation as required.
• Work collaboratively with the Alternative Provision Operational Lead to ensure consistent standards and approaches across all commissioned and non‑commissioned AP settings.
• Provide professional feedback and guidance to Education Officers and AP providers to support improvement and capacity building.
• Liaise with schools, social care, SEND services, and other partners to ensure coordinated support for children and young people.
• Contribute to commissioning decisions, contract management processes, and service reviews by providing quality assurance data and analysis.
• Ensure safeguarding standards and safer working practices are consistently met across all AP settings.
• Escalate any safeguarding concerns or quality issues in line with local authority procedures.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of statutory requirements, Ofsted frameworks, and DfE guidance relating to Alternative Provision and inclusion.
• Analyse data on attendance, attainment, behaviour and reintegration to identify trends and inform strategic planning.
• Contribute to the development and review of policies, procedures, and quality standards within the Alternative Provision service.
• Support the operational lead in preparing reports for senior leaders, elected members and partnership boards.

Person Specification

Essential

• Significant experience in education, inspection, or quality assurance within a school, local authority, or alternative provision setting.
• Strong understanding of statutory responsibilities relating to Alternative Provision, safeguarding, and inclusion.
• Excellent analytical and report‑writing skills.
• Ability to challenge and support colleagues and providers professionally to secure improvement.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and maintain confidentiality.

Desirable

• Qualified teacher status or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience of working within a commissioning or contract monitoring environment.
• Understanding of SEND and wider inclusion frameworks.

Additional Information

The post requires travel across the local authority area to visit AP settings.

Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role.