1Up Collective CIC Literacy Lead – Job Description
(Alternative Provision & Specialist Post-16 Provider)
Job Title: Literacy Lead
Reports to: Head of Education
Location: Across sites in South Essex
Contract: Full & part time hours available
Salary: £175 day rate to negotiable for the right candidate
Background on 1Up
1Up is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that supports young people to identify and reach their potential through education & social inclusion. Beginning in East London in 2015, 1Up has grown rapidly in Essex and is now delivering a range of work areas including youth violence and youth crime prevention, education of young people who have been excluded from or refuse school including those with SEMH and SEND.
The activities 1Up will provide from September 2026 include;
● A formal post-16 education offer that includes functional skills, vocational courses, personal development and therapy for students with SEMH, SEND and EHCPs in South Essex & London Borough of Havering.
● Alternative education provision for mainstream schools, Pupil Referral Units and for local authorities for young people educated other than at school
● Mentoring & sports activities for young people known to the Youth Offending Service and Social Care.
● An evening youth / sport / music provision in Basildon that focuses on reducing anti-social behaviour, youth crime and violence.
Purpose of the Role
The Literacy Lead, leads and coordinates high-quality functional skills literacy provision for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across 1Up’s alternative provision. The role combines strategic curriculum leadership with direct teaching, ensuring that every learner has access to meaningful, accessible and accredited literacy education that supports their progression into adulthood, employment or further study.
Key Responsibilities
1. Curriculum Leadership & Design
● Design, develop and lead delivery of a Functional Skills Literacy curriculum (Entry Level to Level 2 and up to GCSE) tailored to the needs of young people with SEND.
● Ensure the curriculum is engaging, relevant and accessible, reflecting a range of learning needs, communication styles and lived experiences.
● Map progression pathways for all learners and embed accreditation routes clearly within schemes of work.
● Develop and maintain high-quality schemes of work, lesson resources and assessment materials aligned to awarding body requirements.
2. Teaching & Learning
● Deliver outstanding literacy sessions for young people with a wide range of needs including one-to-one and small groups
● Work creatively to engage young people in literacy who have face significant and complex difficulties in and outside of education and for some, whom other services have failed to reach
● Model best practice in adaptive teaching, differentiation and SEND-inclusive pedagogy across the provision.
● Use robust assessment to identify gaps in literacy for individual learners and adapt planning accordingly.
● Promote the use of language, reading and communication as tools for empowerment and independence.
3. Leadership & Staff Development
● Lead, coach staff involved in literacy delivery, including Tutors and 1Up Youth Engagement Specialists.
● Contribute to staff CPD in relation to literacy, SEND strategies and communication approaches.
● Work collaboratively with the SENCO and Senior Leadership Team to align literacy provision with EHCP targets and SEND support plans.
● Participate in strategic planning, quality assurance and self-evaluation processes
4. Safeguarding & Wellbeing
● Work closely with the Safeguarding Team to ensure that learners’ needs are understood and appropriately supported.
● Support students with SEMH needs, behaviour plans and risk assessments.
● Promote positive mental health, resilience and independence among learners.
5. Partnership Working
● Liaise with parents/carers, local authorities, social care, health professionals and external agencies.
● Represent 1Up at multi-agency meetings, annual EHCP reviews and transition events.
● Build strong relationships with the college (SACC), schools, alternative provisions and local authority SEND teams to support transition.
6. Monitoring & Quality Assurance
● Track progress, attendance, engagement and outcomes for learners, maintaining accurate records.
● Produce reports for senior leaders and local authorities on literacy outcomes and provision quality.
● Contribute to self-assessment reports (SAR), quality improvement plans (QIP) and Ofsted readiness.
● Ensure compliance with funding requirements, including High Needs Funding (HNF) and EHCP provision mapping.
Person Specification – Literacy Lead
Qualifications & Training
Essential
● Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/QTLS) or equivalent professional teaching qualification.
● Evidence of ongoing professional development in literacy, SEND or inclusive education.
Desirable
● Degree in English, Education, Linguistics or a related subject.
● Functional Skills qualification or assessor award (e.g. Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training).
● Training in SEND-specific literacy strategies
● Postgraduate qualification in SEN, inclusion or literacy leadership.
Experience
Essential
● Proven track record of teaching literacy or English to young people with SEND and multiple complex needs who other services may have failed to reach
● Experience delivering Functional Skills English from Entry Level through to Level 2.
● Experience leading or coordinating a curriculum area, subject team or intervention programme.
● Experience of working with young people with EHCPs and complex SEND needs.
● Experience writing schemes of work and producing differentiated teaching resources.
Desirable
● Experience in a post-16, FE or alternative provision setting.
● Experience managing or mentoring other staff.
● Experience with exam access arrangements and High Needs Funding.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
● Understanding of the SEND Code of Practice and its application in educational settings.
● Knowledge of Functional Skills accreditation frameworks and assessment requirements.
● Skilled in adaptive teaching, differentiation and communication-friendly approaches.
● Ability to analyse assessment data and use it to plan targeted interventions and track progress.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills with students, staff, parents and professionals.
● Understanding of safeguarding, mental health and behaviour support in a SEND context.
Desirable
● Knowledge of assistive technology and digital accessibility tools for literacy support.
● Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and attachment-aware practice.
● Understanding of preparing for adulthood outcomes (employment, independence, community participation).
Personal Qualities
● Ability to establish relationships of trust and respect with all young people that 1Up is tasked to work with
● Passionate about literacy as a tool for empowerment and committed to the potential of every young person.
● Flexible, calm, resilient and able to work positively under pressure.
● Confident in challenging situations and able to make informed, student-centred decisions.
● Collaborative and able to build strong relationships across the provision and with external partners.
● Reflective, proactive and committed to continuous improvement in teaching and curriculum quality.
● The ability to work independently off own initiative as well as a member of a team, drawing in support from colleagues where required to ensure desired outcomes are achieved
Please apply through Indeed or send your CV and covering letter to [email protected]. For an informal discussion about the role please contact us at the same email address.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £175.00-£190.00 per day
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
