Head of Student Services
About the role:
We’re looking for an experienced, compassionate, and confident Head of Student Services to lead and shape student support across Laine Theatre Arts, including our Junior Department.
This is a senior leadership role with real impact. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll provide strategic oversight of student wellbeing, safeguarding, pastoral care, and engagement, ensuring students are supported to thrive in a demanding, high-performance vocational environment.
You’ll work closely with academic and professional services colleagues to deliver a cohesive, inclusive, and responsive student experience — balancing empathy with clear structure, strong judgement, and effective systems.
What you’ll be doing:
* Leading student wellbeing, mental health, and pastoral support across the College
* Acting as (or overseeing) the Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring robust, compliant safeguarding practice
* Providing expert triage and coordination for students requiring professional or specialist support
* Managing crisis and emergency responses when required, including out-of-hours cover (or delegation)
* Overseeing specialist support services, including learning support, financial advice, careers guidance, and international student support
* Building and maintaining strong partnerships with external support providers and agencies
* Developing early-intervention strategies to identify and address disengagement, wellbeing concerns, and barriers to participation
* Overseeing systems that monitor attendance, engagement, behaviour, and progression
* Coordinating targeted support and pastoral interventions for students with complex or ongoing needs
* Working closely with students, families (where appropriate), and staff to support engagement and success
* Ensuring student-facing policies and procedures are current, compliant, and consistently applied
* Providing strategic leadership for the Student Services Department
* Developing and embedding a clear, student-centred support strategy aligned with college priorities
* Line managing, supporting, and developing Student Services staff
* Contributing at senior leadership level to institutional planning and decision-making
* Representing the College externally and staying informed of best practice across FE, HE, and specialist education
Who we’re looking for:
You’ll be an experienced student services leader with strong safeguarding expertise, excellent judgement, and the ability to stay calm and decisive in complex situations. You’ll combine empathy with structure, and strategic thinking with hands-on leadership.
You’ll bring:
* Significant experience in student services, pastoral care, inclusion, or student support
* Strong working knowledge of safeguarding and child protection at a senior or lead level
* Experience managing complex student cases and coordinating multi-agency support
* Proven ability to develop and implement effective student support strategies
* Confident people-management and leadership skills
* A strong understanding of relevant legislation, guidance, and best practice
It would be great if you also have:
* Experience in the performing arts or creative education sector
* Senior leadership experience
* Formal safeguarding qualifications
Why join us?
This is a rare opportunity to lead student services within a specialist performing arts environment, where student wellbeing, inclusion, and success sit at the heart of everything we do. You’ll have the scope to shape strategy, influence culture, and make a meaningful difference to students’ lives.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Laine Theatre Arts is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safeguarding checks.