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OPUS Alternative Provision Manager- (Ball Green Primary School)
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Stoke-on-Trent City Council
About Us
OPUS at Ball Green Primary Academy [Member of the Societas Trust] is an established alternative provision for children ‘at risk’ of exclusion, or those who have been permanently excluded, from Key Stage 1 and/or Key Stage 2 mainstream schools.
OPUS is a place where children are supported socially, emotionally and academically to prepare them for reintegration back into mainstream settings.
The OPUS team are passionate about ALL children fulfilling their potential and providing a fresh start for them within a caring and supportive environment.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced education, inclusion, SEND or pastoral professional who can provide strong leadership while ensuring that children remain at the heart of everything we do.
Our provision supports primary-aged pupils who, for a variety of reasons, may be experiencing difficulties accessing or engaging successfully with mainstream education. We are looking for someone who understands that behaviour is often a form of communication and who can combine high expectations with a supportive, relational and inclusive approach.
You will lead a dedicated team to provide a safe, structured and nurturing environment in which pupils can re-engage with learning, develop positive relationships and make progress towards successful reintegration or transition.
About the role
Reporting directly to the Head of OPUS, you will have responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of the provision and will be accountable for its effective operation.
- You will directly line-manage staff, providing clear leadership, supervision, performance management and professional development while ensuring that the team works consistently and effectively to meet the individual needs of pupils.
- A key part of the role will be overseeing referrals and admissions. You will assess information from schools and other professionals, consider pupils' individual needs and risks, and make admission decisions within agreed criteria and delegated authority.
- You will also hold delegated safeguarding responsibilities, providing advice and leadership to staff, responding appropriately to concerns and ensuring that safeguarding and pupil welfare remain central to the work of the provision.
- Working closely with schools, families and other professionals, you will lead and coordinate multi-agency working for pupils with complex needs. This will include chairing and contributing to professional meetings, agreeing actions and ensuring that plans remain focused on achieving positive outcomes for children.
- You will maintain oversight of pupils' attendance, engagement, behaviour, wellbeing and educational progress and use this information to evaluate the effectiveness of support and identify where changes are needed.
- An important part of the role will be planning for pupils' next steps. You will work collaboratively with pupils, families, schools and professionals to support successful reintegration into mainstream education or transition to other appropriate provision.
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We are looking for someone who can:
- Provide confident and effective leadership within a busy and sometimes challenging educational environment.
- Directly manage, support and develop staff.
- Make sound, evidence-based decisions and take responsibility for those decisions.
- Undertake delegated safeguarding responsibilities and make appropriate judgements about pupil welfare and risk.
- Assess referrals and make admission decisions within agreed criteria.
- Lead multi-agency meetings and coordinate support for children with complex needs.
- Build positive and professional relationships with pupils, parents/carers, schools and partner agencies.
- Maintain high expectations for children's learning, behaviour, attendance and engagement.
- Understand SEND and the barriers that some children experience in accessing education.
- Use information and data to monitor outcomes and drive improvements.
- Manage competing priorities and respond calmly and effectively to complex or unexpected situations.
- Take operational responsibility for the provision when senior leaders are not present.
About you
You will have substantial experience of working with children with complex educational, behavioural, social and/or emotional needs and a strong understanding of safeguarding, inclusion and SEND.
You may currently be working in alternative provision, a school, SEND provision, inclusion, behaviour support, pastoral services or another relevant children's service.
You will need to demonstrate experience of managing or supervising staff and the confidence to provide clear direction while creating a positive and supportive team culture.
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You will be an effective communicator who is comfortable working with a wide range of people, including children, families, headteachers, SENCOs, social care professionals, health professionals, educational psychologists and other agencies.
Most importantly, you will understand the importance of seeing the individual child behind their behaviour. You will combine compassion and relationship-building with clear boundaries, professional curiosity, high expectations and a commitment to improving outcomes.
What we can offer
You will have the opportunity to lead and develop a provision that can make a significant difference at an important point in a child's education.
You will work alongside experienced colleagues and partner professionals and have opportunities for relevant professional development and training.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in which children are supported to succeed and staff are encouraged to develop their skills, knowledge and professional practice.
Safeguarding:
Ball Green Primary Academy is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all its employees to share this commitment. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and all shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal record self-declaration and be subject to references and online social media checks. Appointment to the post will be subject to all other necessary pre-employment checks including a satisfactory enhanced check by the Disclosure & Barring Service.
To comply with Asylum and Immigration legislation you will be required (if appointed) to provide one or more documents from the Immigration Act 2006 - List A and B. You must provide proof of current and valid permission to be in the United Kingdom and valid permission to do the type of work offered. Further information is available at: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Kat James, Head of OPUS.k.james@ballgreenprimary.co.uk
Closing date: Monday 12th October 3.30pm
Interview date: Thursday 15th October
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