The Employment and Work Experience Manager will lead the operational planning, delivery and evaluation of all learner work placements and Supported Internships. The postholder will oversee employer engagement, job coaching, and the Careers & Futures team, ensuring that all learners access high-quality, safe, and meaningful employment preparation opportunities aligned to their aspirations and EHCP outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide full strategic and operational oversight of Petty Pool's post-college Supported Internship programme, ensuring alignment with the Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) outcomes and individual EHCP goals.
* Drive the growth and sustainability of the SI offer with the ambition of becoming a Centre of Excellence for Supported Internships within the region and beyond.
* Oversee all aspects of placement delivery, including learner recruitment and assessment, employer matching, coaching support, and progression planning.
* Lead on the development of sustainable funding models for the SI programme, maximising opportunities through:
o Study Programme funding (DfE)
o Access to Work (ATW) applications, renewals and monitoring
o Additional supported employment grants or pilot schemes
* Ensure all documentation, processes and compliance requirements for funding claims (e.g., ATW evidence, job coaching logs, impact reports) are consistently and accurately maintained.
* Monitor destinations and employment outcomes, feeding data into the college SAR, QIP and external reporting as required.
Work Experience and Placement Coordination
* Oversee the full planning cycle of all learner work placements, including internal work experiences, external placements, and pre-internship employability programmes.
* Ensure all work-based learning opportunities are aligned with learner pathways, aspirations, and skills development, and collaborate with curriculum staff and learner mentors to prepare learners for placements and ensure appropriate levels of support are in place.
* Manage placement scheduling, documentation and review processes in line with college policy and regulatory expectations.
Employer Engagement and Partnerships
* Lead employer engagement strategy, building a network of inclusive employers and long-term partnerships.
* Champion inclusive hiring practices and promote the value of neurodiverse workforces to employers.
* Collaborate with external stakeholders, including Local Authorities, DWP, Job Centre Plus, and national organisations (e.g., BASE, Youth Futures Foundation) to strengthen local and regional impact.
Essential
* Experience coordinating work placements, Supported Internships or employment programmes.
* Strong knowledge of SEND and the Preparation for Adulthood agenda.
* Experience in accessing and managing Access to Work funding.
* Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with employers and stakeholders.
* Strong organisational and logistical skills, with experience managing multi-agency partnerships.
* Experience of line managing staff, including performance monitoring and development planning.
Desirable
* Familiarity with Databridge or similar MIS platforms.
* Qualification in IAG, supported employment, or job coaching.
* Experience of writing funding applications or managing DfE-funded study programmes.
* Knowledge of relevant compliance frameworks for FE and employment programmes.
About Petty Pool College
Petty Pool College is a leading specialist further education college for young people aged 16-25 with learning disabilities and difficulties. As part of the wider Petty Pool Trust, we are committed to empowering neurodiverse learners through inclusive pathways that lead to employment, independence, and meaningful life outcomes. We strive to be a Centre of Excellence for Inclusive Employment Pathways, driving innovation and ambition in all that we do. Work experience and employment preparation are central to our curriculum. We aim to provide every learner with high-quality opportunities to gain real-world experience and develop the skills they need to thrive in the workplace.
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