* Alternative Provision Officer - Fixed Term until 31/12/25
Alternative Provision Officer - Fixed Term until 31/12/25
About us
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Alternative Provision Officer within the Families and Wellbeing Directorate. The role will sit within the council's SEND Team, reporting directly to the Education Quality Advisor. Warrington's schools are excellent, and we work very closely and collaboratively with them. Warrington's Children's Services have recently been judged as Good with Outstanding features, so this is a great time to be joining us. We are a close-knit team - we know you will feel you belong with us very quickly.
The role
The Alternative Provision Officer is a key safeguarding and quality assurance role. You will be driven by a desire to ensure that children who can benefit from provision that sits outside of mainstream schooling are kept safe and are given a high-quality experience that creates opportunity for them.
You will ensure that all alternative providers operating in Warrington meet basic safety and suitability standards so that our children are safe and premises are appropriate. A key part of the role is to carry out due diligence checks on all providers at least annually. You will also carry out termly quality of education checks to ensure that children are being suitably educated. This will involve both annual desktop checks and termly site visits to providers.
You will maintain the council's list of approved alternative providers and ensure this is available to schools whilst also rapidly alerting schools to any emerging concerns about providers. You will also ensure that systems are in place for daily attendance information to be shared between alternative providers and the child's school. You will provide information, advice and guidance to schools, parents, carers and other colleagues on the alternative provision available.
You will work closely with the SEND Education Quality Advisor and may also support in SEND Reviews. You will work across the region with other officers in similar roles and contribute to the work being done regionally to promote registration by providers on the Flexible Purchasing System.
The role is part time (0.6 - 22.2 hours per week). These hours could be worked flexibly to suit the right candidate. We are also happy to discuss all year round or term time only arrangements, with the understanding that term time only involves a pro rata reduction in salary.
What's needed?
To apply for this role, it is essential that you hold Qualified Teacher Status and have either the National SENDCo qualification or have SENDCo experience.
You will need excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a sound knowledge of educational legislation. You must have excellent information technology skills, able to update and manage your records and work across a range of platforms.
You must demonstrate organisation and planning skills to manage workload and meet deadlines. You must be able to work closely with providers whilst also being comfortable conveying any concerns about safety or quality.
Please read the person specification carefully and ensure that you meet the essential requirements marked (E).
As well as a competitive salary, working for us means you get:
* 26 days annual holiday - raising to 31 after 5 years of service (pro-rata)
* Access to our attractive and competitive benefits package
* Access to our Health & Wellbeing Programme
Key Dates & Further Information
To apply please complete and submit our application form. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to our offices in central Warrington to complete an in-tray/safeguarding task and a formal interview. Interviews will take place 2-3 weeks after the closing date.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Simon Lennox on 01925 442966 or email simon.lennox@warrington.gov.uk
The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
If you are a permanent WBC employee you will need to apply for this fixed term position as an internal secondment opportunity and will need to discuss this with your current line manager prior to applying.
DBS clearance is required.
Warrington Borough Council is a Disability Confident employer
Warrington Borough Council Offices, 1 Time Square, Warrington, WA1 2NT
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