Job Description:
Outdoor Education, Personal Development and Life Skills Lead
Salary: £27,000 to £30,200 per year
Contract: Fixed term, one year in the first instance
Location: Dale Futures CIC, Rochdale
Working Pattern: Full-time, in person
About Dale Futures CIC
Dale Futures CIC is an alternative provision supporting young people aged 11 to 16 who may be experiencing barriers to mainstream education, including SEMH, SEND, attendance, behaviour, confidence, and engagement difficulties.
Our approach is relational, trauma-informed, practical, and ambitious. We believe young people need structure, purpose, trusted adults, and meaningful learning experiences that help them rebuild confidence and develop the skills needed for school, life, and future pathways.
About the Role
We are seeking a practical, resilient, and highly organised Outdoor Education, Personal Development and Life Skills Lead to plan, organise, and deliver a high-quality curriculum across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Starting this September.
This role will lead on outdoor learning, enrichment, life skills, sport, community learning, and practical personal development. The successful candidate will help pupils develop confidence, independence, teamwork, communication, emotional regulation, resilience, and readiness for adulthood.
This is a key role within Dale Futures and will directly support pupil engagement, attendance, behaviour, reintegration, and personal development outcomes.
Curriculum Focus
The programme should include:
Outdoor education and outdoor learning, fitness, and physical challenge Environmental projects,Life skills and preparation for adulthood. Community-based learning Trips, visits, and enrichment, Teamwork, communication, and confidence-building activities, Practical projects linked to independence and employability
The aim is to create a purposeful, active, and therapeutic curriculum where pupils learn through doing, exploring, problem-solving, and taking appropriate risks.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and deliver an engaging Outdoor Education, Personal Development and Life Skills curriculum across KS3 and KS4.
Create structured learning experiences that support pupils’ EHCP outcomes, personal development, behaviour, attendance, and engagement.
Deliver and coordinate activities such as outdoor learning, sport, forest school-style provision, environmental projects, practical life skills, visits, and community-based learning.
Ensure all activities are inclusive, accessible, and adapted for pupils with mixed abilities, SEMH needs, SEND, and barriers to learning.
Support pupils to build independence, confidence, emotional regulation, resilience, teamwork, and practical life skills.
Plan, risk assess, and lead off-site visits and outdoor activities safely and effectively.
Maintain high expectations for behaviour, safety, relationships, routines, and learning.
Work closely with teaching staff, pastoral staff, the DSL, SENCO, senior leaders, and external providers.
Contribute to pupil reviews, progress updates, individual support plans, and personal development reporting.
Support reintegration planning by helping pupils develop the confidence and skills needed to return to mainstream education or progress to appropriate next steps.
Promote safeguarding, equality, dignity, respect, and positive relationships at all times.
We Are Looking For Someone Who
Has experience in outdoor education, school enviroment, coaching, youth work, sport, vocational learning, alternative provision, or working with young people.
Can build strong relationships with pupils who may have experienced barriers to education.
Is calm, consistent, resilient, and solution-focused.
Understands, or is willing to learn about, SEMH, SEND, trauma-informed practice, and relational behaviour support.
Can make practical learning purposeful, structured, and meaningful.
Can plan safely, manage risk, and lead visits confidently.
Is organised, flexible, and able to work as part of a small, committed team.
Has a full UK driving licence and access to their own vehicle.
Desirable
Outdoor education qualificationForest School qualificationSports coaching qualificationDuke of Edinburgh experienceYouth work qualificationTeaching, HLTA, TA, SEND, SEMH, or vocational qualificationExperience in an Alternative Provision, PRU, SEMH setting, special school, or inclusion provisionExperience developing enrichment, personal development, or life skills programmes
Safeguarding
Dale Futures CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
This post is subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, barred list check where appropriate, satisfactory references, identity checks, qualification checks, and proof of right to work in the UK.
Benefits
Free parking On-site parking Casual dress Supportive and developing team Opportunity to shape a growing Alternative Provision
Pay: £28,000 to £30,518 per year
Work Location: In person
Work Authorisation: United Kingdom required
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
Pay: £24,500.00-£31,870.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
