FOUNDATION LEARNING & COMPLEX NEEDS PRACTICE LEAD

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

Benefits offered by this job

Pension schemes

Life assurance

Free onsite parking

Gym access

Spa and Salon discounts

Job summary

Orbital South Colleges Group are seeking an experienced Foundation Learning and Complex Needs Practice Lead to lead specialist support for learners with complex needs across College provision. You will coordinate performance, ensure inclusive practice and deliver high-quality interventions across multiple sites.

The role requires experience with SEND, safeguarding, trauma-informed approaches and collaboration with stakeholders to drive continuous improvement in learner outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting learners with complex needs.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
• Ability to analyse information, identify trends and implement interventions.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional, operational and specialist leadership for Foundation Learning and Complex Needs provision.
• Lead development and delivery of support for learners with complex needs; ensure outcomes-focused support that is regularly reviewed.

Skills

Young people support

SEND Code of Practice

Trauma-informed

Stakeholder collaboration

Safeguarding

Data analysis

Job description

Foundation Learning & Complex Needs 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)
• Foundation Learning and Complex Needs Practice Lead JD & PS.pdf (PDF, 194.5kb)

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Foundation Learning and Complex Needs Practice Lead to join our Inclusion and Wellbeing team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and coordinate specialist support for learners within Foundation Learning and across the College, ensuring a high-quality, consistent and inclusive experience for students with complex needs.

As the Foundation Learning and Complex Needs Practice Lead, you will provide professional, operational and specialist leadership for a defined area of SEND provision. You will lead the development and delivery of support for learners with complex needs, ensuring effective identification, intervention and support that is planned, outcomes-focused and regularly reviewed.

What We're Looking For

• Experience supporting young people within education or a related setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of the SEND Code of Practice.
• An understanding of the challenges faced by young people and vulnerable learners.
• Experience coordinating meetings and working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
• An understanding of trauma-informed and relational approaches.
• The ability to analyse information, identify trends and implement effective interventions.

If this sounds like you and you will enjoy working in a forward thinking, friendly, fast paced, changing environment with state of the art facilities, we would love to hear from you.

In return, we offer a competitive salary, as well as staff benefits:

• a choice of two excellent pension schemes
• life assurance
• free onsite parking
• access to our fully equipped gym
• 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.