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ALS Manager

We are hiring for an Additional Learning Support Manager who is passionate about providing SEND students within mainstream education access to learning opportunities.

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Job Details

You will be responsible for leading and shaping the strategic direction of the Additional Learning Support (ALS) department to raise standards of teaching, learning and inclusive practice across the college.
You will ensure high‑quality support for LSAs and SEND learners within the mainstream curriculum, while meeting statutory responsibilities, embedding safeguarding, promoting consistent student support, and ensuring compliance with college policies and legislative requirements.

The Role:

As ALS Manager, you will:
  • Lead the strategic development of ALS, oversee Individual Support Plans, monitor the effectiveness of support, and ensure high‑quality provision for SEND, High Needs and LLDD learners.
  • Manage Local Authority requests, EHCP reviews, High Needs applications, diagnostic assessments, and exam access arrangements to ensure compliance and timely delivery.
  • Work in partnership with the Teaching and Learning Team to maximise LSA impact and design and deliver SEND‑focused CPD for staff across the organisation.
  • Collate, analyse and report key performance data to the Quality Team, ensuring effective use of resources, budget adherence, and evidence‑based decision making.
  • Develop and update relevant college policies, embed safeguarding practices, advise on student support strategies, and promote adherence to health, safety and safeguarding responsibilities across the college.

About You:

Essential:
  • Resilience and ability to multi-task
  • A good team worker with a 'can do' attitude and supportive to colleagues
  • Fully committed to a 'growth mindset' both professionally and for the students
  • Reflect, observant and flexible
  • Able to liaise and refer any concerns about student development appropriately
  • Effective communication skills and the ability to work under pressure
  • Empathy and understanding of individual student needs
  • The ability to foster and maintain good rapport with students
  • An understanding of the sensitivity and complexity of the role

Desirable:

  • Holds qualifications in Special Education Needs of Level 3 or above
  • Qualified to Level 3 or above in specialist subjects
  • Previous experience of working within an educational environment in a similar capacity
  • Familiarity with IT and its use in an educational setting
  • Ability to manage a large department

Why choose us?

Our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be selected as finalists for the AoC Beacon awards for effective use of digital Technology in FE. Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations, or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected location both by road and rail.

What we offer:

  • A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn
  • Excellent pension provision
  • Annual Staff Awards
  • CPD days - opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching
  • Free onsite parking
  • Staff appreciation days
  • Eye care vouchers
  • Onsite Starbucks & Restaurant
  • Well-being days & activities
  • Electric Vehicle Scheme*
  • Discounted gym membership
  • Hybrid Working available
  • Fully immersive teaching rooms allow simultaneous online teaching at multiple locations
  • Free Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, 365 days offering legal & financial advice, as well as general support & guidance

* subject to terms & conditions

This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Self-declaration is subject to Ministry of Justice guidance on the disclosure of criminal records, further information can be found on GOV UK

USP College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, we therefore expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service, and any other checks that the role requires to ascertain suitability for working with children and/or vulnerable adults, which may include online searches.

We will hold and process any personal data, including sensitive (special category) personal data, relating to you in accordance with our legal obligations, in the manner set out in the Privacy Notice for staff and in accordance with our Data Protection Policy, which is set out on the College’s website, found here. You should familiarise yourself with our Data Protection Policy (and all other subsidiary policies to it) and comply with them at all times. Neither the Privacy Notice for Staff nor those policies form a part of your contract of employment.