Head of ALS

Education Week Jobs; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Annual Leave

Flexible Working

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work

Government Pension Schemes

Job summary

Lewisham College in London is seeking an experienced Head of Additional Learning Support (ALS) to lead the delivery, quality and development of our ALS provision. You will supervise a team of specialist staff and ensure high-quality, inclusive support for learners with SEND and additional needs.

Reporting to senior leaders, you will drive strategy, compliance with ESFA funding and statutory requirements, and collaboration across curriculum teams to embed inclusive teaching, learning and

Qualifications

• Substantial leadership experience within ALS/SEND or learner support services.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and EHCP processes.
• Experience driving service improvement through performance management.
• Ability to use data and quality measures to inform strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the ALS service and staff.
• Develop strategies to improve learner outcomes and satisfaction.
• Oversee ALS funding processes and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with curriculum leaders to embed inclusive practices across the college.
• Contribute to quality improvement planning and inspection readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Inclusion & SEND

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Education

Relevant degree or professional qualification

Job description

Head of ALS

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Lewisham College, part of NCG, is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Additional Learning Support (ALS) to lead the delivery, quality and development of our Additional Learning Support provision.

This is a key leadership role within the Learner Experience Department, responsible for ensuring that learners with identified learning difficulties, disabilities, SEND, mental health needs and other additional support requirements receive high-quality, responsive and inclusive support that enables them to thrive, achieve and progress.

Working closely with curriculum leaders, learner support teams, external agencies and senior leaders, you will lead a team of specialist staff to develop and deliver an outstanding support service that promotes inclusion, removes barriers to learning and ensures compliance with statutory and funding requirements.

We are looking for an individual who combines strategic vision with operational excellence and who is passionate about transforming lives through inclusive education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Additional Learning Support service, ensuring high-quality support for learners with SEND, learning difficulties, disabilities and additional needs.
• Develop and implement strategies that improve learner outcomes, retention, achievement, progression and learner satisfaction.
• Lead, motivate and develop ALS staff, including Learning Support Assistants, Specialist Practitioners and other support colleagues.
• Ensure effective assessment, planning, deployment and monitoring of support arrangements for learners requiring additional support.
• Oversee ALS funding processes, ensuring compliance with ESFA, funding body and regulatory requirements.
• Work collaboratively with curriculum leaders to embed inclusive teaching, learning and assessment practices across the college.
• Monitor service performance through data analysis, quality assurance activities and learner feedback, implementing improvements where required.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with external agencies, local authorities, schools, health professionals and community organisations.
• Contribute to college self-assessment, quality improvement planning and inspection readiness.
• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and learner wellbeing across all aspects of the service.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Has substantial leadership experience within Additional Learning Support, SEND, inclusion or learner support services.
• Demonstrates excellent knowledge of SEND legislation, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), inclusive practice and learner support funding arrangements.
• Has experience of leading teams and driving service improvement through effective performance management.
• Understands the challenges and opportunities within the Further Education sector.
• Can use data and quality measures to inform strategic decision making and improve learner outcomes.
• Has excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Is committed to delivering outstanding learner support and promoting a culture of inclusion and belonging.
• Holds a relevant degree or professional qualification and evidence of continued professional development.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

NCG is a great place to work, with a whole host of benefits such as:

• Generous Annual Leave
• Flexible Working
• Student Discount
• Government Pension Schemes
• Cycle to Work
• Employee Assistance Programme

For more information, please see our website - Our Benefits

NCG VALUES

Our values are not just about what we do, but also how we do things. Shaped by our colleagues, customers and learners, they set the standard of how we should behave, how we work together and give us the opportunity to make the right decisions based on the values we all share.

• Being both inclusive and diverse
• Trusting and respecting our communities
• Taking ownership whilst working collaboratively
• Inspiring excellence and curiosity

For further detail about our Values and Strategy, please visit our website - Values and Strategy