Progress Coach

Queen Alexandra Charity; Metchley; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational charity in Metchley is seeking a dedicated professional to support students with special educational needs. The role involves monitoring student progress, conducting regular meetings, and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure each learner reaches their potential. The position emphasizes a commitment to safeguarding and requires a proactive attitude, strong communication skills, and relevant experience. The role is permanent and offers a vibrant, supportive environment focused on educational success.

Benefits

Access to on-site car parking

Use of fitness center

Flexible working arrangements

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Understanding of Preparation for Adulthood Outcomes.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with students.

Responsibilities

• Monitor progress of allocated learners and support their understanding.
• Conduct fortnightly meetings to discuss student goals.
• Track and report on progress using the College system.

Skills

Numeracy and literacy level 2

Experience with young people with SEND

Communication skills

Positive proactive attitude

Organizational and time management skills

Education

Appropriate vocational qualification equivalent to level 3

Job description

Description

To have the overall responsibility for monitoring and tracking the progress and transition for a caseload of identified learners, so that each learner is able to optimise their performance at Queen Alexandra College and meet their potential. In partnership with the learner and other key staff.

Hours : 09 : 00 to 16 : 00

Contract : Permanent, term time only,

Weeks : 39 Weeks (45.2 weeks, including Bank Holidays and annual leave)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one for up to 30 students (and where appropriate small group support) for their caseload of students to monitor progress over time. Support student understanding of the tutorial curriculum of including British Values, Consent, Prevent Strategy requirements etc. Where appropriate to contribute to Tutorial Curriculum materials.
• To follow a fortnightly meeting schedule with allocated learners to discuss all aspects of progress including education, independence, behaviour, attendance and other agreed goals.
• To meet with students on an informal, ad hoc basis when necessary.
• To lead on collaborative working with the learner’s internal and external network of learning and support, including college staff, parents / carers and external agencies.
• Preparing and contribution to the Education, Health and Care Plan review meeting, within the college and in collaboration with the QAC Learner Journey Team
• Overseeing the identification of long and medium term goals in collaboration with main programme tutors
• Overseeing the identification of personal development targets in collaboration with main programme tutors
• Input, track and report on progress towards goals and targets through the College Databridge MIS system
• Attendance monitoring and reporting
• The co-ordination of planning and review of all aspects of learner progress
• Establishing intervention strategies to support learners to progress effectively
• Acting as a key point of contact for parents, wider staff and other stakeholders
• The co-ordination of key staff working with allocated learners
• Ensuring coherent planning for destination and outcomes and Next Steps for allocated learners in collaboration with the QAC Transition Team.
• To model the very best practice in Tutorials for the wider Personal Tutor team.
• Act as a positive role model for students and deal with low level disruptive behaviour appropriately
• Take responsibility for own management of the identified caseload of learners
• Responsible for taking all appropriate measures to safeguard young people and promote their welfare
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive culture that embeds the College’s values, and ensures that learners and staff feel valued, safe and supported
• Committed to a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring that own contribution to the role and the College is of the highest standard
• Represent the College positively and effectively in dealings with external parties
• Take responsibility for own continuing professional development as agreed in the appraisal process
• To liaise closely with curriculum area staff and managers to ensure learners are making strong academic and work experience across progress all their learning.
• To work collaboratively with learners and key staff by taking a person-centred approach to planning, learning, development and transition.
• To attend Progress Coach team meetings as required and to contribute to the development of the practice within the team.
• To be responsible for liaising with the Learner Journey team in ensuring all paperwork relating to the learner’s placement is up to date and any changes to programmes or other matters are passed on to funding bodies.
• To contribute to the development of recording progress on to College MIS system, including the recording of contact time with learners.
• Be responsible for developing and maintaining skills and knowledge to competently perform own role through research and training as identified during the appraisal process.
• Comply with college policies and procedures.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties requested by the line manager.

The above list is not exhaustive, but is indicative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken. The responsibilities and duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible approach to enable the efficient and effective running of the College.

Safeguarding Statement

Queen Alexandra College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all staff and volunteers are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and wellbeing of our students / clients. Successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two employment references.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Level 2 numeracy and literacy or demonstration via an assessment that you are operating at level 2 in both subjects.
• Appropriate academic or vocational qualification equivalent to a level 3 with willingness to work towards a level 4 qualification
• A clear understanding of the Preparation for Adulthood Outcomes
• Previous experience of direct work with young people with SEND
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams in the education sector
• An ability to develop positive working relationships with individuals at all levels (internal and external) to promote the College
• Highly developed communication (written and verbal skills), presentation, external liaison and networking skills
• Good organisational and time management skills
• A systematic approach to work with excellent problem solving skills
• A positive and proactive attitude
• A strong commitment to learner success

A commitment to excellence

• Ability and determination to promote equality and diversity throughout all aspects of College life, including employment and service delivery
• The ability to motivate and encourage others, inspire trust and a sense of common purpose
• Ability to work effectively through teams and a critical and sensitive understanding of the roles of other staff
• Able to clearly demonstrate understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and a commitment to promoting the welfare of young people

Why work at Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham

Join our team at Queen Alexandra College!

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of students with special educational needs? Do you thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment? If so, we want YOU to join our team. QAC has just gone through an exciting rebrand, dealt with a period of swift growth and academic improvement and this is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant College that is moving forward and making a real difference to the lives and futures of our students.

The newly structured Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham offers you the chance to have a positive impact as you join a committed group of colleagues in ensuring that all students achieve their aims and aspirations. We are dedicated to providing exceptional education and support to students with diverse learning needs and life experiences. Our specialist setting fosters an inclusive community where every student is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

QAC offers a vibrant, varied and enriching educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are designed to meet specific needs and support levels are high.

Joining our supportive team, you will have the opportunity to :

• Work closely with students with SEN to achieve their goals
• Make a difference to the educational experience of young people
• Be a voice for students and staff in specialist education
• Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic growth, self-development and self-confidence
• Develop your own skills, aspirations and progress your career.

Benefits

Schedule 1 Benefits (reviewed annually and / or as appropriate)

Academic Year 2024 / 25

Access to on site car parking

• Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours)
• Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
• 24 / 7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF)
• Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff
• QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing
• BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping / services
• Annual Flu vaccination / voucher
• Access to other benefit / discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers
• Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health / Counselling)
• Free Tea / Coffee and Staff Room facilities
• Dining Room facilities with hot / cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes)
• Additional discretionary concessionary / closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas / New Year period)
• Reward and Recognition Policy – Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service
• Enhanced / Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity / paternity (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Occupational sick pay (based on length of service)
• On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation)
• Support for training / CPD (either by way of study leave and / or funding)
• Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.

This list is not exhaustive and may be subject to review and / or change.

We look forward to receiving your application and knowing more about your qualifications, skills,

personal qualities and experience that you would bring to the role and to QAC. Please take time to review the job description above.

Please upload a CV / Resume

• with details of your full employment history (since leaving school,
• including education, employment and voluntary work) including reasons for any gaps in
• employment. This should also include a statement of the personal qualities and experience you
• believe are relevant to your suitability for the post and how this meets the job description and
• person specification requirements. Your CV / Resume
• will be re‑produced in a standard format by
• the system (without personal identifiers) to assist us in our anonymised shortlisting process.

Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from

engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College's Safeguarding Policies are

available here

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, and in line with updated guidance published in

September 2022, we will carry out an online search of all shortlisted candidates. This search may

enable us to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and publicly available for review online, which we may wish to explore with you in further detail during the interview process. As part of your application we have asked you to provide the account names, usernames and / or handles for any social media platform that you use, as well as the names of any websites that you own, post on, or contribute to. A Google search will also be conducted. These checks will only be conducted if you are shortlisted for interview. Please see our safer recruitment and selection policy for further information.

Queen Alexandra Charity (QAC) provides education, residential support, community services and enterprises in support of young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Education is provided through a national residential College that supports a diverse range of student / client abilities and needs. Our College provides education, training, routes to independent living and employment through an innovative, holistic approach to learning and support. It offers a vibrant, varied and fun educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are small and support levels high.

We have educational and learning sites based in Birmingham, one of Europe’s most welcoming and vibrant cities, with a rich and diverse culture. Our main site is based in Harborne, a pleasant leafy Birmingham suburb, on a friendly and green 8-acre campus with excellent facilities and resources. In addition we also have Pinewood Campus which is located on a business park and is designated to employment progression.

Clients within our Residential Services programme still require support and the aim is to deliver a service that provides them with the means to live independently / semi independently into the future. Many clients are either in education, voluntary work or paid employment not linked to QAC directly.

Our Community Services based at our Umberslade Campus in Stirchley include a supporter worker service, women's group, men's group, LGBTQ plus group, Saturday Socials, The Night Owl Experience (disability friendly night club visit in Birmingham City Centre).

All students, clients and staff are supported within safe and well-resourced environments.

QAC makes a positive difference to the lives and learning of people with disabilities and learning difficulties. We have high expectations of staff, students and clients whilst being responsive, innovative and collaborative. Our Charity values drive how we work with students, clients, stakeholders and a team.

We continue to attract and retain staff of the highest calibre, who are proud of QAC’s achievements and who wish to be an integral part of ongoing and future successes.

As Leaders in Diversity which drives the culture at QAC and we warmly welcome applications from individuals who share our values, from all backgrounds, to add to our committed and diverse team.