Job Purpose
The Additional Learning Support Manager (ALSM) is responsible for the strategic leadership, management and continuous development of the College's Additional Learning Support (ALS) service, ensuring learners with additional learning needs receive high-quality, inclusive and effective support that enables them to participate fully in college life and achieve positive outcomes.
Working closely with the Head of College, curriculum teams, Learning Support Lead (LSL), Health and Personal Care Lead (HPCL), Local Authorities and external agencies, the postholder will ensure that statutory responsibilities relating to SEND, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), High Needs Funding, safeguarding and examination access arrangements are delivered effectively.
The Learning Support Manager will provide leadership for the Learning Support department, ensuring services are effectively planned, resourced, monitored and continuously improved.
The Learning Support Manager will ensure as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), that the college is a safe place to study and learn and that learners receive coordinated support that promotes achievement, wellbeing, independence and successful progression.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership of Additional Learning Support
- Lead and develop the College's Additional Learning Support service, ensuring it reflects the College's strategic priorities and statutory responsibilities.
- Develop and implement an inclusive support strategy that enables learners with additional needs to access, participate in and succeed in education.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and learner-centred practice across the department.
- Ensure ALS services meet the needs of learners, employers, Local Authorities and the wider community.
- Advise senior leaders on SEND developments, inclusion, learner needs and service performance.
- Promote collaborative working across curriculum and support services to improve learner outcomes.
2. SEND, EHCPs and Learner Support
- Lead the College's SEND processes, including consultations, assessment, transition and support planning.
- Oversee the completion, implementation and annual review of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
- Lead High Needs Funding applications and negotiate funding with Local Authorities.
- Act as the principal point of contact for Local Authorities regarding EHCPs, funding, audits and statutory compliance.
- Ensure examination access arrangements are identified, evidenced and implemented within required timescales.
- Monitor learner progress, achievement, attendance, retention and progression to ensure effective support is in place.
- Ensure learners receive coordinated support that promotes independence, wellbeing and successful outcomes.
3. Leadership and Operational Management
- Provide leadership and line management for the Learning Support Lead and Health and Personal Care Lead.
- Oversee the effective deployment of Learning Support Assistants and Health & Personal Care staff to meet learner needs.
- Lead recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal, performance management and professional development across the department.
- Allocate staffing resources effectively, ensuring appropriate timetables, rotas and cover arrangements are maintained.
- Monitor the quality of learner support through observations, supervision and quality assurance activities.
- Set and review departmental objectives and performance targets.
- Promote effective communication, collaboration and professional practice throughout the Learning Support department.
4. Safeguarding, Partnerships and Transition
- Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), supporting the Designated Safeguarding Lead in fulfilling statutory safeguarding responsibilities.
- Lead operational safeguarding processes across the College, including liaison with external safeguarding agencies and attendance at multi-agency meetings where required.
- Support the implementation of the Prevent Duty and wider safeguarding responsibilities across the College including CPD.
- Develop effective partnerships with Local Authorities, health professionals, social care services and commissioned providers.
- Lead transition arrangements for learners with additional needs from application through to progression.
- Ensure coordinated communication with learners, parents, carers and external professionals.
5. Quality Assurance, Compliance and Continuous Improvement
- Ensure all Additional Learning Support services comply with College policies, statutory guidance and the SEND Code of Practice.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and quality of the learner journey, including admission, transition, learner reviews, achievement and progression.
- Analyse learner performance data to inform service improvement and strategic planning.
- Produce reports and management information for senior leaders, trustees and external agencies.
- Lead departmental self-assessment, quality improvement planning and inspection readiness.
- Promote innovative and evidence-informed approaches that improve learner outcomes and service delivery.
- Ensure accurate learner, funding and compliance records are maintained and meet audit requirements.
General Responsibilities
The postholder will:
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the College.
- Actively safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
- Participate in safeguarding procedures, Prevent responsibilities and mandatory training.
- Promote a positive culture of health, safety and wellbeing.
- Attend leadership meetings, training and professional development activities.
- Participate in College appraisal, quality assurance and self-assessment processes.
- Act as Safeguarding Duty Manager in accordance with the College rota.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post as reasonably required by the Head of College.
Leadership Expectations
The Learning Support Manager will:
- Demonstrate visible, inclusive and values-led leadership.
- Provide strategic direction for the Additional Learning Support service.
- Develop a high-performing team committed to outstanding learner outcomes.
- Promote collaborative working across curriculum, support services and external partners.
- Champion innovation, continuous improvement and evidence-informed practice.
- Ensure effective deployment of resources to maximise learner achievement and value for money.
- Lead through coaching, empowerment and accountability.
- Promote independence, inclusion and equality of opportunity for every learner.
Relationships
The Learning Support Manager will work closely with:
- Head of College
- Learning Support Lead
- Health and Personal Care Lead
- Curriculum Managers and teaching staff
- Skills, Achievement and Progression Tutors
- Exams and Quality teams
- Local Authorities
- Health and Social Care professionals
- Parents, carers and external agencies
- Trustees and senior leaders
Review Statement
This job description outlines the principal responsibilities of the post at the time of issue. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may be amended periodically to reflect the changing needs of the College. Any significant changes will be discussed with the postholder.
Interested candidates should apply directly through our website:
https://www.greenbank.org.uk/about-greenbank/job-vacancies/
Closing date for applications: Friday 21st August at 5pm
Pay: £29,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Gym membership
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
