In the 2026 educational landscape, technology is the ultimate tool for equity. We believe that when we design for accessibility, we improve the learning experience for everyone. To ensure our high‑tech innovations leave no one behind, we are seeking a passionate, tech‑savvy Assistive Technology Specialist to champion the success of our SEND learners.
As the Assistive Technology Specialist, you will act as the ‘Ethical Compass’ and ‘Accessibility Lead’ for the Digital Innovation & AI department. Reporting directly to the Digital Learning Manager, you will ensure that the college’s digital ecosystem—from AI‑driven speech‑to‑text to immersive sensory environments—is inclusive by default, not by exception. You are more than a technical expert; you are a coach, an advisor, and a lead advocate for inclusive practice.
Key Responsibilities
* Specialist Learner Support: Provide direct, hands‑on support to SEND learners, equipping them with personalised digital toolkits to access the curriculum with confidence and independence.
* Staff Inclusion Training: Design and deliver specialised training for teaching and support staff, empowering them to embed inclusive digital practices into daily lessons.
* Accessibility Consultancy: Advise the department and the wider college on WCAG compliance, ensuring all digital platforms and resources are legally and ethically accessible.
* Barrier Removal & Auditing: Proactively audit curriculum materials to identify and eliminate digital blockers, adapting learning materials to meet the needs of diverse student cohorts.
* Reasonable Adjustments: Lead the classroom implementation of digital reasonable adjustments, leveraging technology to level the playing field for assessments and activities.
* Policy Contribution: Contribute to the development of inclusive digital policies, ensuring SEND requirements remain at the forefront of the Group’s overarching AI and Digital Strategy.
* Intervention & Escalation: Act as a critical link between students and academic teams, escalating complex accessibility or technical framework issues to senior staff for swift resolution.
Key Role Objectives
* Learner Independence: Measurably increase the ability of SEND students to work and study independently through the mastery of assistive software and hardware.
* Institutional Compliance: Ensure 100% of the Group’s primary digital learning resources meet or exceed current WCAG accessibility standards.
* Capability Building: Raise the institutional baseline of inclusive teaching, ensuring all faculty members can confidently use standard assistive tools within the VLE.
Qualifications
* Proven experience working with SEND learners and a deep technical understanding of assistive software, hardware, and emerging AI accessibility tools.
* Strong working knowledge of WCAG compliance and digital inclusion best practices.
* Experience working within an FE/HE, training provider, or alternative provision environment.
* Ability to build strong partnerships with the Quality Team, IT technicians, and SEND Leads.
* Excellent coaching and advocacy skills, with the resilience needed to drive cultural and pedagogical change across diverse staff teams.
* Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification in English and Maths (or willingness to undertake) and a degree level (or equivalent) qualification in special education, digital accessibility or IT. Specialist certification in assistive technologies or digital accessibility desirable.
Benefits
* Local government pension scheme (with employer contributions from 15.6%).
* Up to 44 days annual leave per year including closure during Christmas period.
* Access to gyms, restaurants and salons.
* Staff health & wellbeing schemes including in‑house Occupational Health service.
* Wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
* Full, part‑time and flexible working hours available.
* Free parking at all sites.
* Career development opportunities including funding for teacher training, apprenticeships and industry‑recognised qualifications.
* Grants up to £6,000 in STEM for new FE teachers (conditions apply).
* Recruitment referral scheme worth £200 per referral.
Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of background and provide reasonable adjustments. All new employees are required to undertake a DBS check and other associated checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
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