Alternative Provision Lead Officer
Grade D– £45,091 – £53,460, Consultation grade subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review. Working 36.5 hours per week. The role is hybrid; the post holder must work from Birmingham City Council buildings as business needs dictate. Permanent position.
Are you passionate about ensuring that every child thrives and fulfils their potential by attending and succeeding in school regularly? Birmingham City Council is seeking a dedicated individual to join our Children and Families Directorate as the Alternative Provision Lead Officer.
In this vital role you will lead and manage a team providing high‑quality alternative provision, including provision for young people who require educational provision under section 19 of the 1996 Education Act due to medical needs or permanent exclusion.
In this role you will also lead the team with enhanced local authority oversight of managed moves, working closely with schools, ensuring all children have access to a good school including alternative provision if needed, with a view to reducing exclusions in Birmingham. If you have a strong background in education, including behaviour and preventing exclusion experience, family support services and excellent leadership skills with a commitment to safeguarding, we want to hear from you!
Responsibilities
* Lead the co‑ordination and ensure quality assurance of the support provided by the team to children in receipt/requiring an off‑site direction/managed move, or provision under section 19 of the 1996 Education Act due to medical needs or permanent exclusion.
* Ensure the delivery of effective partnership working with all key stakeholders.
* Lead and develop the team to ensure efficient, effective and responsive professional support, and implement a collaborative approach to support for inclusion.
* Lead the allocation of Managed Move Coordinators; ensure regular team meetings and communications so that service delivery issues and team concerns are addressed; ensure all statutory duties are met, interventions are informed by best practice and agreed procedures.
* Diligently contribute to developing and leading shared practice in integrated working, ensuring all staff are aware of appropriate early help responses and services.
* Promote the support for children and young people who cannot attend their current school.
* Provide robust evidence of the team’s impact through provision of statistical data and management information, ensuring timely and accurate provision of information to inform future planning with the aim of improving outcomes for children.
* Represent the local authority at the alternative provision network, including delivery of training and implementation of measures to improve safeguarding and inclusive practice delivered through a range of other LA and national network meetings.
* Ensure data quality and the integrity of management information through proper use and safekeeping of data and record systems.
* Manage staff using HR procedures; manage standards through evidence‑based supervision and My Appraisal.
* Ensure that the LA and Service priorities are being met and ensure use of recording systems as procedures require, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and ethical requirements such as GDPR.
* Prepare and present reports and an analysis of statistics to the Exclusions Prevention Lead Officer and Head of Service, and ensure accurate data to evidence key performance indicators is available as required.
* Ensure the City Council’s commitment to equal opportunities and diversity is delivered through service policy and practice; promote anti‑discriminatory practice and inclusion in the service area.
* Assess risk and advise senior staff of issues, needs and trends likely to impact on effective service planning.
* Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and ensure compliance with legislative requirements.
Qualifications & Experience
We are looking for candidates with a high standard of education, and at least three years’ social work or school inclusion experience working in local authorities or school roles with a strategic focus on behaviour, pastoral and attendance. Please also have:
* Experience working with vulnerable children and families, schools and multi‑agency collaboration.
* Experience of multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency work.
* Practical understanding of the legislation affecting children and families, including the 1996 Education Act.
* Experience of statistical reporting and manipulating, collating, analysing and presenting data for performance management purposes.
* Positive and sensitive approach to work, colleagues and customers.
* Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Benefits & Development
In return, we offer a supportive and collaborative work environment where your contributions will be valued. You will have the opportunity to participate in regular supervision, team meetings and professional development activities. We are committed to your growth and will provide training to enhance your knowledge of home education and safeguarding practices. By joining our team, you will be making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and their families in Birmingham.
Application Process
Please upload an up‑to‑date CV and Supporting Statement via the attachments part of your application. The Supporting Statement should outline how you meet the criteria for the role through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. Note that the Personal Statement should be no more than 1500 words. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV and Personal Statement attached.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.
For any informal enquiries please contact Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. Proof of right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy. Sponsorship is not available for this post; applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.
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