JOB DESCRIPTION: ALS Co-ordinator

Post Title: ALS (Additional Learning Support) Co-ordinator

Nature of the Role: Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

Responsible to: Assistant Principal Learner Services and College DSL

Responsible for: Supervision of a team of 4 Learning Support Assistants

Location: London, Victoria based with occasional travel to Manchester

Start Date: As soon as possible

Welcome to Ada!

We are the National College for Digital Skills, the top performing specialist institution for the Computer Science BTEC and are passionate about educating, supporting and creating the next generation of digital pioneers.

As a small college in Victoria, central London, we have a very diverse student body from a wide range of backgrounds and are committed to using tech as a tool for social mobility. We offer a supportive culture for students and staff and our excellent industry links ensure you get regular formal and informal CPD to support your teaching and technical knowledge and development.

We are a specialist college where all our students are passionate about tech and we are committed to supporting them to progress onto highly skilled roles in the digital sector. All students study computer science for at least 60% of their curriculum, with regular off-curriculum industry projects with partners such as King Games, Salesforce, Deloitte and Bank of America.

We are passionate about high quality teaching and learning, using industry’s problems to bring education to life for our learners and thinking of innovative new approaches to communicating some of tech’s more challenging concepts!

Our students achieve highly across all subjects and progress to an amazing range of destinations. In Summer 2023 these included: Deloitte, Vodafone, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, BT, BBC, Oxford University, Nottingham University, Queen Mary University and many more with over 70% progressing to their first choice destination.

We received Good with Outstanding features in our first Ofsted inspection in October 2018, and again in March 2023.

Purpose of the Role

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, seeks a capable and experienced ALS Co-ordinator to oversee and enhance our provision for learners with additional needs during a 1-year period. You will provide strategic leadership and operational management to the ALS team, ensuring the effective implementation of SEND support across the Sixth Form and Apprenticeship programmess.

You will work with the Assistant Principal Learner Services to define, articulate and implement our shared vision and values of the college to support learners with additional needs in achieving their expected outcomes. You will also work with the Dean of the Apprenticeship programme to ensure adult learners with additional needs are supported by teaching staff and in their work placements.

You will hold a key role in the college and are expected to demonstrate outstanding skills in working with the leadership team, parents and carers, external agencies and learners to implement the strategic vision of the college, working with these individuals and groups to ensure we provide a high quality of education to our learners with additional needs.

You will be accountable for ensuring that exam access arrangements are organised to meet the needs of learners, annual reviews are completed for learners with EHCPs, ALS with the Apprenticeship team and work alongside the pastoral team and teaching staff to implement and make them aware of training and teaching strategies that support learners with additional needs, and that reasonable adjustments for these learners are in place. In addition to help administer the high needs funding claims with the Assistant Principal and Finance department and MIS.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership
  
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive ALS strategy aligned with the college’s vision and values.
  • Oversee the effective allocation and utilisation of resources, including High Needs and EHCP Funding.
  • Monitor and evaluate the impact of ALS interventions and initiatives, driving continuous improvement.
  • Foster a culture of inclusivity and support for learners with additional needs.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to advocate for SEND provision and secure necessary resources.
• Operational Management
  
  • Line supervise the work of a team of 4 Learning Support Assistants, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback.
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the ALS team, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery.
  • Co-ordinate the allocation of caseloads and workload distribution within the team and creating support plans
  • Develop and implement robust systems and processes for identifying, assessing, and supporting learners with additional needs.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant SEND legislation, Policies and regulations.
• Collaboration and Partnership
  
  • Work closely with the Assistant Principal Learner Services, the Dean of the Apprenticeship programme, and other key stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach to SEND provision.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with external agencies, including local authorities, health professionals, and specialist support services.
  • Engage with parents/carers, providing regular communication and opportunities for involvement.
• Staff Development
  
  • Lead and facilitate professional development opportunities for the ALS team, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to support learners effectively.
  • Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within the team.

Person Specification

• Essential:
  • Proven experience in a leadership or co-ordination role within a SEND or ALS context.
  • Be educated to Level 3 standard.
  • In-depth knowledge of SEND legislation and best practices.
  • Strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing learners with additional needs in a further education setting.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills.
  • Ability to lead, motivate, and inspire a team.
• Desirable:
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification.
  • Experience working in a further education college.
  • Knowledge of the digital skills sector.

Leadership and Coordination – the ability to demonstrate:

• Genuine passion and belief in the potential of every learner
• An educational vision aligned with the college’s high aspirations
• Clear strategies for establishing consistently high standards of results and behaviour in complex inner-city schools and a commitment to relentlessly instilling these
• Versatility to adapt your style in circumstances where an alternative approach is needed
• Effective line management of a range of people – coaching and motivating them to achieve excellent results in their roles
• A desire to innovate and try new approaches, being reflective and learning from mistakes
• An ability to give feedback in a constructive and, where needed, challenging way
• An ambassadorial approach in all dealings with the community and subsequently to be positive in successfully marketing the college in the community
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Strong organisational skills which includes the ability to delegate, prioritise and use effective time management
• Resilience and motivation to stay positive and focus on key priorities during times of challenge
• Confidence and effective presentation skills during assemblies, parents and carers events and other public speaking opportunities
• A willingness to work flexibly and where necessary outside of normal working hours

Safeguarding

Ada, the National College for Digital Skill is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and references will be sought from previous employers prior to commencing employment. Other related pre-employment checks appropriate to the post will also be carried out.

Remuneration and Benefits

Hours:          9am - 5pm

Salary:    £34,000-36,000, dependent on experience    

Selection process:    Application; interview and tasks relevant to the post

Holidays:    Pro-rate based (to be taken outside of term-time)

DBS:          All employees undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Check

Pension:       Stakeholder Pension

Equal opportunities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the College’s commitment to equality and diversity:

• To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;
• To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;
• To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the College are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;
• To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation;
• To promote good relations between individuals from different groups.

Applicants with disabilities

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please contact our HR Department via hr@ada.ac.uk.

Variations to this Job Description

This is a description of the job as it is at present, and is current at date of issue. The job description will be reviewed and updated as necessary to ensure that appropriate revisions are incorporated, and that it relates to the job to be performed.

Sponsorship

Sadly, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role so we can only accept applications from candidates who will have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.

How to apply

To apply please complete the application form and send a cover letter to jobs@ada.ac.uk, outlining why you are excited by the opportunity to take on this role at Ada and how your previous experience and skill set will enable you to fulfil the role.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial phone conversation about the role followed by a panel interview.