Head Of Provision - The Husbandry School

Devon County Council; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Husbandry School in Devon is seeking a Head of Provision to lead the Reengage Reinspire Programme (AEP) and oversee safeguarding, policy updates and QA with partners.

You will work with the Director, Grower and mentors to support 5-19 year olds with SEND across SEND and SEMH; duties include HR, finance oversight, and liaising with parents, schools and Local Authorities.

Qualifications

• Calm, patient and adaptable approach to working with children and families.
• Ability to work autonomously, resourcefully and as part of a team.
• Experience in safeguarding and managing staff in an educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all day-to-day aspects of the Reengage Reinspire Programme (AEP) and liaise with partners.
• Lead safeguarding as the Designated Safeguarding Lead within the programme.
• Update Policies & Procedures annually and carry out Quality Assurance visits with commissioning partners.
• Maintain SCR, Training Register and Letter of Assurance.
• Support HR matters including Safer Recruitment, contracts, holidays, payroll, and grievances.
• Oversee staff timesheets, annual leave calendars and TOIL records.
• Work with Director and Head Grower on financial oversight including bookkeeping and PAYE/HMRC payments.
• Ensure GDPR compliance and cybersecurity of IT systems.

Skills

Calm demeanor

Autonomous work

Team leadership

Microsoft Office

Education

GCSE English & Maths

A levels or equivalent

Relevant qualifications/licences

Job description

The Husbandry School is an experimental learning centre and agroecological farm set on 47 acres of land close to Ashburton.

We are seeking a new Head of Provision to work alongside our Director and Lead Grower to lead on the delivery and development of our Reengage Reinspire Programme (Alternative Education Provision). We work with Local Authorities, Schools and Social Work across Devon and the South West to support young people aged 5-19 with a range of SEND and complex additional needs.

We work with a small cohort of 6 children per day, prioritising a relational approach with children and their families to support the development of tools for self-regulation and SEMH needs. Our team of dedicated mentors work on a 1:1 or small group basis with our learners across balanced, broad & personalised project-based curriculums, covering a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Your role will include some sessions with our learners to ensure you are familiar with the cohort and their needs.

As Head of Provision your role will encompass the position of Designated Safeguarding Lead, working alongside the Director and two Deputy DSLs to ensure high safeguarding standards across the business. You will be a key point of contact for our parents & carers, as well as our commissioning partners.

Operationally the role is responsible, alongside the Director, for ensuring Policies & Procedures are updated annually, as well as meeting Quality Assurance requirements set by our commissioning partners including staff training, safer recruitment and record keeping.

The role is for 5 days per week throughout the calendar year.

This job description is current at the date shown, but in consultation with you, may be amended by the Director to reflect or anticipate changes in the job role.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Overseeing all day-to-day aspects of our Reengage Reinspire Programme (AEP), including liaising with commissioning partners & parent/carers, managing the RRP team, and attending professionals’ meetings EHCP reviews, Child Protection meetings etc).
• Working in a 1:1 and/or small group capacity alongside children and young people with SEND.
• Leading on safeguarding as our Designated Safeguarding Lead within the Reengage Reinspire Programme, alongside the Director as DDSL and two other DDSL staff members.
• Working alongside the Director to ensure that all Policies & Procedures are updated when new statutory or voluntary guidance is issued, and carry out Quality Assurance visits with commissioning partners.
• Maintaining the SCR, Training Register and Letter of Assurance.
• Working alongside the Director and Head Grower to ensure smooth running of the business and development of new opportunities.
• Working alongside the Director with regard to HR matters, such as Safer Recruitment, contracts, holidays, payroll, dismissals or grievances.
• Maintaining staff timesheets, annual leave calendars and TOIL records.
• Working alongside the Director and company Accountant on financial matters, including oversight of bookkeeping, invoicing, supplier payments, PAYE & HMRC payments.
• Ensuring all information is handled in line with GDPR, and IT systems are maintained with required cybersecurity considerations.

Who we’re looking for:

Essential - Qualifications

• GCSE Grade C/Grade 4 in English and Maths, or equivalent numeracy & literacy skills.
• A levels or equivalent at Grade C or above.
• Possession of, or the ability to demonstrate the capability to gain relevant qualifications, licences or equivalent where applicable.

Experience

• Experience working with children & young people within an educational setting (on-roll, AEP, PRU, Forest School etc).
• Experience working with children & young people with SEND and/or complex additional needs such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, Pathological Demand Avoidance.
• Experience working with children & young people with Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs, such as Anxiety, OCD, trauma.
• Experience supporting parents & carers, and working alongside professionals, of children with complex needs.
• Experience with safeguarding children with complex needs.
• Experience as a team manager, team leader or similar role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Calm, patient and adaptable
• Able to work in a physically challenging landscape
• Ability to work autonomously, resourcefully and as part of a team.
• Able to fit into the culture and community of the work environment, including interacting with our students with additional needs
• Highly competent with Microsoft Office.

Other Essential Requirements

• Commitment to safeguarding, equality & diversity and health & safety.
• Adhere to The Husbandry School Staff Code of Conduct, and display The Husbandry School values and behaviours, at all times and actively promote them in others

Desirable - Qualifications

• PGCE, Masters or above in related field Education, SEND), and/or Qualified Teacher Status, and/or SENCO qualification (NPQSENCO/NASENCO)
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (Level 3) certification.

Experience

• Experience of working year-round in an outdoor environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skills, interest and experience in arts, crafts, music, cookery, horticulture or other practical fields, that you can share with our learners.

Joining our team

Safeguarding

The Husbandry School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and those involved in our activities to share this commitment.

All appointments are subject to appropriate pre-employment and safer recruitment checks, including satisfactory references and, where applicable, an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please read the following policies, which can be found on our website - , as part of your application:

• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
• Safer Recruitment Policy