Job Title: Quality Assurance Officer – Alternative Provision (Interim)
Reports to: Alternative Provision Operational Lead
Contract: 5-Month Interim Position, potential for extension
Rate: £475 PD Umbrella
Job Purpose
The Quality Assurance Officer will play a key role in ensuring that Alternative Provision (AP) commissioned or used by the Local Authority provides high-quality education, safeguarding, and welfare for all children and young people.
The postholder will work closely with Education Officers, AP providers, schools, and wider partners to monitor, evaluate, and improve the quality of provision. They will provide professional oversight, identify areas for development, and support continuous improvement in line with statutory guidance and local authority standards.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct regular visits to Alternative Provision settings to quality assure the work of Education Officers and the overall quality of education, safeguarding, and pastoral support offered.
Use agreed quality assurance frameworks and evaluation tools to assess compliance, effectiveness, and impact.
Review individual pupil records, learning plans, attendance, and outcomes to ensure provision is appropriate, personalised, and meets statutory requirements.
Produce clear, evidence-based reports highlighting strengths, risks, and areas for improvement.
Monitor the implementation of agreed actions and provide follow-up evaluation as required.
Work collaboratively with the Alternative Provision Operational Lead to ensure consistent standards and approaches across all commissioned and non-commissioned AP settings.
Provide professional feedback and guidance to Education Officers and AP providers to support improvement and capacity building.
Liaise with schools, social care, SEND services, and other partners to ensure coordinated support for children and young people.
Contribute to commissioning decisions, contract management processes, and service reviews by providing quality assurance data and analysis.
Ensure safeguarding standards and safer working practices are consistently met across all AP settings.
Escalate any safeguarding concerns or quality issues in line with Local Authority procedures.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of statutory requirements, Ofsted frameworks, and DfE guidance relating to Alternative Provision and inclusion.
Analyse data on attendance, attainment, behaviour, and reintegration to identify trends and inform strategic planning.
Contribute to the development and review of policies, procedures, and quality standards within the Alternative Provision service.
Support the operational lead in preparing reports for senior leaders, elected members, and partnership boards.Person Specification
Essential
Significant experience in education, inspection, or quality assurance within a school, local authority, or alternative provision setting.
Strong understanding of statutory responsibilities relating to Alternative Provision, safeguarding, and inclusion.
Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.
Ability to challenge and support colleagues and providers professionally to secure improvement.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills with a range of stakeholders.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain confidentiality.Desirable
Qualified teacher status or equivalent professional qualification.
Experience of working within a commissioning or contract monitoring environment.
Understanding of SEND and wider inclusion frameworks.Additional Information
The post requires travel across the local authority area to visit AP settings.
Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role.Why Choose Ackerman Pierce?
Ackerman Pierce calls upon over 15 years' worth of experience in recruiting directly into the Social Work Sector. We can offer a unique experience within recruitment where you have your own personal consultant, a DBS and Compliance service with a quick and easy registration process. We pride ourselves on a guaranteed weekly payment process.
To discuss this vacancy further or any other opportunities, please contact Elise Revett or email in your updated CV to us at Ackerman Pierce