Additional Learning Support Lead – SEND and Access Arrangements
Salary: £44,482 per annum
Hours: 35 per week
Working Weeks: 52 per year
Contract Type: Permanent
Site: Accrington & Rossendale College and Nelson & Colne College
Closing Date: Midnight, 23rd August 2026
Interview Date: TBC
‘Together, Let’s Be Extraordinary’
Our Organisation
Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, Nelson and Colne College has a national reputation for educational success and is seen within the Further Education sector as a beacon of excellence for teaching and learning. We offer an outstanding range of A Levels, vocational courses, Apprenticeships and Higher Education provision and generations of families have benefited from an exceptional education at Nelson and Colne College.
The Exciting Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly skilled professional to join our Additional Learning Support team as Additional Learning Support Lead - SEND and Access Arrangements.
We are seeking an experienced SEND professional, qualified teacher and Level 7 specialist assessor to lead the college's Exam Access Arrangements provision. The successful candidate will already have significant experience of conducting Exam Access Arrangements assessments, interpreting assessment data, advising colleagues and ensuring compliance with JCQ requirements.
This is a key leadership role with responsibility for coordinating high-quality SEND support, leading Exam Access Arrangements provision, promoting inclusive practice and supporting positive outcomes for learners across our 16-18 programmes.
Working closely with the Director of Inclusion & Learning Support, curriculum leaders and wider support services, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring learners receive appropriate support, reasonable adjustments and opportunities to achieve their full potential.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed or equivalent).
- Hold a Level 7 qualification recognised by JCQ for the assessment of Exam Access Arrangements (e.g. CPT3A, AAA, PGDip SpLD or AMBDA).
- Have substantial experience of independently conducting Exam Access Arrangements assessments and making recommendations in line with current JCQ regulations.
This is not a trainee assessor role. Applications from candidates who do not hold the required teaching qualification, Level 7 assessor qualification and relevant Exam Access Arrangements assessment experience will not be shortlisted.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Leading SEND support, inclusion planning and APDR processes across the college.
- Acting as the college's lead Level 7 assessor and coordinating all Exam Access Arrangements activity.
- Preparing for and leading responses to JCQ inspections and compliance reviews.
- Providing specialist SEND, accessibility and assistive technology advice to staff and learners.
- Leading quality assurance activities and using data to improve learner outcomes.
- Supporting EHCP processes and statutory responsibilities.
- Developing colleagues through training, coaching and sharing best practice.
- Building strong partnerships with families, local authorities and external agencies.
What We Are Looking For:
We are looking for an experienced SEND professional who:
- Has significant experience supporting learners with SEND in a post-16 setting.
- Has experience leading and coordinating Exam Access Arrangements.
- Has a strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, EHCP processes and inclusive practice.
- Can use data, quality assurance and learner outcomes to drive improvement.
- Builds positive relationships with learners, colleagues, families and external partners.
- Has excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills.
- Is passionate about improving outcomes for young people and promoting inclusion.
Experience of leading teams, delivering staff development and contributing to quality improvement activities would be advantageous.
What We Offer in Return:
- Eligibility to join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave allowance including a two-week closure over the Christmas period
- Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme and access to family friendly policies and benefits
- A range of health and wellbeing benefits and support
- Staff recognition scheme, including long service awards
- Free on-site parking on all College sites
Please visit the Careers section on our website for full details of our benefits http://www.eastlancslearning.ac.uk/
How to Apply:
Still Interested?
If you're interested in this post and would like to know more, then please visit our website and follow the steps to apply online.
Website: http://www.eastlancslearning.ac.uk/
Further questions: please contact our friendly HR Team [email protected]
*Please note we only accept applications submitted via our website*
Please note: All of our posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check due to working with vulnerable adults and children. Should you wish to discuss this further, please get in touch with the HR team.
The Nelson and Colne College Group is an Ofsted Outstanding Further Education College with a high performance and ambitious culture.
The Group was born in November 2018 with the successful merger between Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College. Prior to that, pan-Lancashire adult community learning provider, Lancashire Adult Learning, became part of the family in 2016.
We are home to 2,400 16-18 year old A Level and vocational students, 16,500 adult learners, 1,300 Apprentices and 400 Higher Education students.
Expertly led by Principal and CEO Lisa O'Loughlin, the College Group delivers year on year improvement, growth and most importantly, highly successful students and Apprentices.
The success of our communities, employers, partners and economy is key to all that we do. We have forged valuable partnerships and a shared vision with like-minded organisations and individuals, creating a network of opportunity and excellence.
Our highly skilled staff are committed to raising and supporting aspirations, providing social mobility and an essential talent pool for the local, regional and national economy.
Nelson and Colne College Group
Scotland Road, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7YT
[email protected]
01254 389933
