Description
We reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time if we receive suitable applications for the role.
The Strategic Lead of Residential Childcare is responsible for providing strategic leadership, innovation, and operational oversight across the Residential Childcare provision. The role plays a key part in driving curriculum excellence, quality improvement, business growth, employer engagement, and performance management to ensure the we deliver high-quality programmes that meet local, regional, and national skills priorities.
Working closely with the Assistant Director for Skills, the Strategic Lead will shape and implement strategic objectives across the Residential Childcare curriculum area, ensuring provision remains compliant, commercially viable, learner-focused, and inspection ready.
The Strategic Lead will provide leadership and support to the Head of Residential Childcare and the delivery team, embedding a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation across all aspects of delivery.
Furthermore, the Strategic Lead will work alongside the Head of Business Development to drive growth and position Acorn Training as one of the leading providers of Residential Childcare apprenticeships and qualifications in the country.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Residential Childcare curriculum area, ensuring delivery aligns with organisational priorities, growth strategies, funding requirements, and sector needs.
* Oversee the development and implementation of curriculum strategies that support innovative, high-quality adult learning and apprenticeship provision which is responsive to employer demand and labour market intelligence.
* Support the Assistant Director for Skills in achieving strategic business objectives, performance targets, quality outcomes, and operational compliance across all Residential Childcare provision.
* Line manage and support the Head of Residential Childcare ensuring effective performance management, accountability, and professional development across teams.
* Drive a culture of excellence, professionalism, innovation, and continuous improvement through effective leadership, coaching, and strategic direction.
* Oversee curriculum performance, including learner attendance, retention, achievement, progression, employer satisfaction, quality indicators, and compliance measures, implementing improvement strategies where required.
* Lead and direct quality assurance and quality improvement activities across the Residential Childcare provision, ensuring consistency in teaching, learning, assessment, and learner experience.
* Ensure the curriculum area remains fully compliant with awarding organisations, funding, regulatory, safeguarding, and inspection requirements, maintaining a continual state of inspection readiness.
* Analyse performance data, learner outcomes, quality indicators, and market intelligence to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
* Lead on self-assessment, quality improvement planning, deep dives, internal audits, standardisation activities, and external inspection preparation within the curriculum area.
* Develop and maintain strong partnerships with employers, stakeholders, local authorities, sector bodies, and external agencies to enhance curriculum relevance, learner progression, and business growth opportunities.
* Identify and pursue new market opportunities, partnerships, and commercial growth opportunities in line with organisational objectives.
* Collaborate with internal departments including quality, compliance, learner services, business development, and marketing to enhance learner engagement, recruitment, retention, and progression outcomes.
* Champion the use of innovative teaching practices, educational technologies, and learner-centred approaches to improve learner engagement and achievement.
* Lead cross-departmental strategic projects and organisational improvement initiatives as directed by the Assistant Director for Skills.
* Support workforce planning and succession development within the Residential Childcare provision to ensure sustainable and high-performing teams.
Key Performance Indicators
* High levels of learner, employer, and stakeholder satisfaction.
* Successful implementation of curriculum growth and development strategies.
* Achievement of business growth and partnership development objectives.
* Sustained improvement in learner achievement, retention, attendance, and progression rates.
* Strong quality assurance outcomes and inspection readiness.
* Successful achievement of contractual, funding, and compliance targets.
* Positive quality indicators across teaching, learning, and assessment.
* Timely implementation of quality improvement actions and strategic initiatives.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Qualifications and specific training
* Minimum Level 5 teaching learning and assessment qualification, such as Cert Ed, DTLLS or Diploma in Education and Training (essential)
* Minimum Level 5 or above subject specialism qualification (essential)
* Level 3 CAVA and Level 4 IQA or equivalent (essential)
* GCSE (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics (essential)
* Full Driving Licence (essential)
* Degree in Education, Leadership, Management or related discipline (desirable)
* IOSH Managing Safely qualification (desirable)
* Leadership or management qualification (desirable)
Experience
* Significant experience within the post-16 education and training sector (essential)
* Proven experience of strategic leadership and operational management (essential)
* Experience managing curriculum performance and quality improvement (essential)
* Experience leading teams within apprenticeships and/or adult learning provision (essential)
* Experience of curriculum development aligned to employer and learner needs (essential)
* Experience preparing provision for inspection and external quality assurance activity (essential)
* Experience leading large-scale strategic or organisational improvement projects (desirable)
* Experience managing budgets and commercial performance (desirable)
* Experience developing external partnerships and stakeholder relationships (desirable)
Knowledge
* Strong understanding of the FE and training sector including apprenticeships and adult learning (essential)
* Knowledge of funding rules, regulatory requirements, quality assurance, and inspection frameworks (essential)
* Understanding of curriculum development, quality improvement methodologies, and learner-centred practice (essential)
* Knowledge of safeguarding, Prevent, equality, and compliance responsibilities (essential)
* Familiarity with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in curriculum design and delivery (desirable)
* Knowledge of labour market trends and workforce development priorities within Residential Childcare (desirable)
Skills
* Strong strategic leadership and people management skills (essential)
* Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement abilities (essential)
* Ability to analyse performance data and implement improvement strategies (essential)
* Ability to lead organisational change and drive continuous improvement (essential)
* Strong organisational, planning, and project management skills (essential)
* Ability to build high-performing, collaborative teams (essential)
* Experience using digital technologies and data systems to support curriculum management and quality improvement (desirable)
Job Benefits
* Flexible working including home-based, centre-based, or hybrid job role dependant
* Up to 26 days annual leave, with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days
* Pension scheme to support your long-term financial wellbeing
* Training and professional development, including CPD workshops and professional qualifications
* Westfield Health Scheme with benefits including 13 healthcare services, cashback towards essential health bills, counselling and therapy treatments, fast access to MRI, CT, and PET scans, and discounted shopping vouchers
* Wellbeing initiatives including Wellbeing Wednesdays and the Mental Health at Work Pledge
* Disability Confident Leader, Menopause Workplace Pledge, Armed Forces Covenant, Ban the Box Employer, and secure prayer spaces
* Annual paid volunteering day and charity initiatives
* Cash incentives for Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year awards
* £500 Recommend a friend scheme
Acorn Training is an award-winning training provider with over 17 years of experience, recognised for its dedication to diversity and inclusion values.
Our tailored services are delivered across eight training centres and within the local communities we serve.