Organisation: Thrive Education Service (Alternative Provision)
Location: Nottinghamshire (site-based)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Reporting to: Managing Directors / Director of Operations
Safeguarding Role: Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Salary: competitive
Role Purpose
The Site Lead is responsible for the day-to-day operational management and accountability of their site, ensuring that practice, provision and staff deployment meet Thrive Education Service standards, statutory guidance and local authority expectations.
The post holder will take full responsibility for daily site operations, including staff practice, learner support, safeguarding oversight and implementation of policies in real time. As a qualified Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, the Site Lead will support and act under the direction of the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring safeguarding practice is effective, timely and consistently applied.
The role requires a strong, visible leader who can coordinate staff practice throughout the day, respond to emerging needs, and ensure that SEND and safeguarding guidance is translated into high-quality daily practice.
Day-to-Day Site Leadership & Accountability
(Ofsted: Leadership & Management / Safeguarding is Effective)
The Site Lead will:
- Take overall accountability for the daily running of the site
- Manage and coordinate all staff on site, ensuring roles and responsibilities are clearly implemented throughout the day
- Ensure staff are deployed effectively to meet learner needs, ratios and risk assessments
- Oversee the structure, routines and flow of the day to ensure a calm, purposeful learning environment
- Ensure Thrive policies and procedures are actively implemented, not just understood
- Act as the senior decision-maker on site during operational hours
Safeguarding Leadership – Deputy DSL
(KCSIE / Nottinghamshire LA guidance)
The Site Lead will:
- Hold DSL training and act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Support the organisational DSL in managing safeguarding concerns, referrals and follow-up
- Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns raised on site
- Ensure concerns are recorded accurately and promptly
- Escalate safeguarding matters in line with Thrive procedures
- Attend and contribute to safeguarding-related meetings where required
- Promote and model a strong culture of safeguarding across the site
Learner Meetings & Multi-Agency Working
(Ofsted: Personal Development / Leadership & Management)
The Site Lead will:
- Attend and contribute to meetings relating to learners, including:
- CIN meetings
- TAF meetings
- Child Protection meetings (as appropriate)
- Professional reviews and planning meetings
- Ensure agreed actions from meetings are implemented on site
- Work collaboratively with families, social workers, LA professionals and schools
- Ensure that multi-agency guidance informs daily practice and provision
SEND Practice & Curriculum Adaptation
(Ofsted: Quality of Education)
The Site Lead will:
- Work closely with SENCOs to ensure SEND guidance is embedded into daily practice
- Support the adaptation of provision, environment and curriculum to meet learner needs
- Ensure staff understand and implement strategies outlined in EHCPs, support plans and risk assessments
- Monitor the impact of SEND strategies in real time
- Provide feedback to SENCOs on what is working in practice and where adjustments are needed
Quality Assurance, Monitoring & Documentation
(Inspection readiness)
The Site Lead will:
- Support the SENCO and DSL in their duties through effective site-level implementation
- Provide written feedback, updates and documentation as required
- Ensure actions identified through QA audits are followed through and evidenced
- Maintain up-to-date site documentation to inspection-ready standards
- Contribute to ongoing self-evaluation and improvement planning
- Ensure the Managing Directors have access to accurate, current information about site practice
Staff Oversight & Professional Practice
The Site Lead will:
- Provide clear direction and guidance to staff throughout the day
- Monitor staff practice and provide immediate support or challenge where needed
- Model professional, trauma-informed and child-centred practice
- Support staff understanding of safeguarding and SEND responsibilities
- Escalate concerns regarding practice in line with Thrive procedures
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Experience in a leadership role within an education or alternative provision setting
- Qualified Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) (or willingness to obtain immediately)
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and SEND in education
- Ability to manage day-to-day operations and staff practice
- Experience attending or contributing to multi-agency meetings
- Strong organisational and communication skills
- Ability to produce clear written records and feedback
- Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain)
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working within Alternative Provision
- Experience supporting SEND and SEMH learners
- Experience contributing to QA or inspection processes
- Leadership or management training
Safeguarding Statement
Thrive Education Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, references and safer recruitment procedures.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Work Location: In person
