Description To improve the life outcomes for learners by providing Early Help on a wide range of pastoral and welfare, supporting learners and their families to overcome the barriers to participating in education. To be part of the Safeguarding and Welfare team through the Hub providing front line and early help support for vulnerable learners with poor mental health, in crisis or in need of critical support and support to learners. To identify and monitor vulnerable and ‘at risk’ learners under remit and work closely with cross college teams to ensure learners are retained by the college. Key Responsibilities To provide Early Help support as soon as problems emerge, supporting with pastoral, social, welfare, wellbeing and health care to identify and remove barriers to accessing learning. Developing a positive and supportive connection with learners, create an atmosphere of trust and support, prioritising the safeguarding and wellbeing of all students. To lead on Personal Education Plans (PEP) for Looked After Children (LAC) in partnership with Social Services including the attendance at LAC reviews. Hold a specific caseload of learners who have had social care involvement and are care experienced e.g. kinship care. Attend meetings where appropriate to support learners and families to overcome barriers to education. To support the delivery of the college’s Mental Health Strategy including providing first point of contact for learners experiencing poor mental health and release the vision to become a mentally healthy college. To promote and safeguard the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults at the college and refer/signpost to external agencies where appropriate. Support transition of learners liaising with secondary schools, Positive Steps to ensure support needs are identified and met early. To work closely with curriculum teams to support at risk and vulnerable learners by attending Support planning meetings, Student improvement meetings and Formal hearings where relevant. Assist in enrolment and induction to ensure learners are aware of support available. Maintain accurate records of interventions, ensuring learners vulnerabilities and support needs are recorded and highlighted. To carry out transition and pastoral reviews for ‘at risk’ and vulnerable learners under remit and record support, progress and outcomes on the learners ILP. To conduct home visits where there is an attendance/welfare/safety concern. To build and maintain supportive relationships to assist in the personal and social development and providing support and guidance through the HUB. To undertake training as required for the role. Any other duties, of a similar level of responsibility, as may be required Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Qualifications / Special Work Conditions Essential Criteria Good literacy and numeracy skills (minimum level 2) Mental health first Aid qualification or willingness to undertake training Desirable Criteria Emergency First Aid qualification or a willingness to obtain it. Full UK driving Licence and access to a vehicle Experience Essential Criteria Experience of working with young people in an educational environment Experience of working with young people in a pastoral and wellbeing setting Experience of dealing with safeguarding and mental health concerns To have empathy with young people, approachable but with the confidence to assert authority when required. Experience of effective team working and promoting relationships between staff, students and the community Experience of working under pressure, including handling difficult situations on your own and de-escalating them. Experience of working with Data and computers including excel and college systems Experience of working in a busy environment Experience of working with outside agencies such as safeguarding professional, schools, social workers, Youth Justice Team, Positive Steps, Parents and Key Workers Desirable Criteria An understanding of Equality and Diversity issues Experience of dealing with people at different levels across the organisation Specialist Knowledge Essential Criteria Good working knowledge of safeguarding and child protection Specific knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by young people that impact on their wellbeing, safety and mental health Good understanding of mental health issues and how they impact on learners Committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. Able to interact positively with young people and adults. Committed to the principles of equality and diversity Ability to communicate, negotiate and work effectively with internal and external partners. Ability to work unsupervised and manage own time and priorities; be well organized and self-motivated. To have flexibility and willing to try out new ideas. Ability to keep and evaluate records and statistical data. Desirable Criteria Knowledge of SEN IT Skills Essential Criteria Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs Understanding of college systems Desirable Criteria Ability to analyse and present information in a variety of forms About Hopwood Hall We are a Further Education College and University Centre offering a range of full and part time courses employing over 600 staff on our campuses in Rochdale and Middleton situated to the north-east of Manchester. Both campuses have ample free parking and subsidised restaurants. We offer staff a range of benefits including free gym membership at our Middleton Sports Arena and generous holiday entitlement. We are committed to being a great place to work and have membership status of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter. We are a Living Wage employer and an accredited Disability Confident Employer. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion statement is designed to ensure that unfair discrimination does not take place in any part of our recruitment process. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners and colleagues and we expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. The college complies with Safer Recruitment guidance in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and all successful applicants are required to undertake a DBS check and other pre-recruitment checks in line with our Safer Recruitment policy. It is an offence to apply for a regulated role at the College if you are barred from working with children (or vulnerable adults if in a role where this applies). STAFF BENEFITS Working at Hopwood Hall College comes with a wide range of benefits including generous holiday and sick pay entitlements. Career average pension scheme Free gym membership at our Middleton Campus Sports Arena Purchase loans for computers and bikes Staff discount at the College’s Riverside Salon, Sports Arena and Holiday Clubs On-site nursery (Rochdale Campus) Credit union for savings, low cost loans and life assurance Free on-site parking On-site Dog Kennels (spaces not guaranteed) An electric and hybrid car salary sacrifice scheme (with charging points on site) A cycle to work scheme Discounted public transport tickets Generous holiday entitlement (Teaching staff: 53 days, Business Support staff: 28 days plus bank holidays) Christmas/New Year closure and the opportunity to buy additional holidays Subsidised bistro and refectory