At Woodside Group, we specialise in educating young people with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and know that by putting each individual at the centre of their learning journey, we are able to craft a unique and fulfilling experience for each student that will allow them to independently contribute to society, embrace life long learning and achieve without a ceiling.

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We are excited to announce that we have a vacancy for a full time Head of Base at our Southam school, Starbold Farm Outdoor Learning Centre, which, like all our sites, has a unique outdoor setting.

We’re looking for a passionate individual to provide professional leadership within Starbold Farm, which will ensure its success, improvement, growth and longevity, providing high quality education for all its students and exemplary standards of learning and achievement. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing a maximum of 24 students’ educational journeys whilst coaching and developing a staff team to ensure that all can achieve without a ceiling. Our small group setting provides a “homely” feeling that enables us to nurture our students and provide them with the best education experience once we’ve successfully engaged with them emotionally; therefore, we need practitioners who can build trusting relationships, provide security to our vulnerable learners and who are able to communicate clearly, confidently and demonstrate resilience in the face of high pressure circumstances.

Essential experience and qualifications:

• A proven track record in working with children on the autism spectrum in a managerial position, or a genuine provable talent showing an aptitude and potential for challenge in a managerial position.
• Knowledge of multiple learning styles and the benefits of Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC).

Essential Skills

• Behaviour management and de-escalation techniques
• Empathy and sensitivity to the needs of learners with an ASC
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, ensuring that all staff and volunteers share this commitment.
• Excellent communication skills with both staff and students to work towards our mission, vision and values

Preferred Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Qualifications linked to autism.
• First Aid Trained.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead trained with experience in this role.
• Health and Safety trained with experience of carrying out management in this area.
• Knowledge of new Data Protection Regulations (2018) and demonstrable understanding of how this impacts in an educational setting.

Key Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Consistently keep up to date with the latest research in the field of ASC and communicate this to the staff team.
• Embed the use of Woodside Group’s Autism Progression Tool with parents, students and staff, ensuring that each child’s individual manifestation of ASC can be focused on and worked on in a distinctively individual way.
• Foster and harness positive relationships with families, colleges, work experience placements, future employers, local community members and all other stakeholders of Woodside Group.
• Embed a teaching methodology founded on Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) across all subjects, in line with the Woodside Group ethos.
• Take responsibility for all student referrals.
• Budgeting, accounting, forecasting and analysing impact of expenditure.
• Services management for base.

Compliance responsibilities

• Compliant with all requirements of the Woodside Group Ofsted readiness checklist
• Uphold Safer Recruitment practices in recruitment activities
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the base(s) under leadership.
• Act as allegations manager for base(s) under span of control. Read and understand the Health and Safety Policy
• To inform and advise the organisation and its employees about their obligations to comply with the GDPR and other data protection laws.
• To monitor compliance with the GDPR and other data protection laws, including managing internal data protection activities, advise on data protection impact assessments and conduct internal audits.
• To be the first point of contact for the SLT, staff, students and parents whose data is processed by Woodside Lodge Outdoor Learning Centre.
• To manage and maintain a relationship with 3rd party Data Protection agencies
• To lead on any future audits

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Lead the primary team and maintain accountability for all staff members.
• Behaviour management and all aspects relating to the implementation of strategies and analysis of incidents.
• Lead annual reviews of students.
• Working in collaboration with other Line Managers & the Head, effectively manage time table coordination for the team
• Delivery of weekly review sessions in line with student targets and individual progression
• Leadership, day to day support and coaching of team members
• Regular check ins with team members
• Management of all first line queries from team members
• Management and maintenance of good working relationships between colleagues
• Conflict and dispute resolution
• Team Member Time Management
• Team Member Attendance Management
• Communication to team members
• Change Management
• Development of team members
• Ensure Ofsted readiness evidencing a clear understanding of the criteria for Independent Specialist Providers.
• Create individual transition plans and pathways to adulthood for each individual student.
• Creation and implementation of IEPs/BSPs and positive handling plans.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

• All employees are responsible for ensuring they take every reasonable action to keep themselves and everyone in the school environment safe and well.
• Read and understand Health and Safety report from LRB
• Ensure H&S compliance checks are carried out at scheduled intervals i.e., water checks, water temperatures
• Ownership for reviewing and monitoring items implemented and act on any risk, issues or concerns raised through the checking process.
• Carry out risk assessments
• Maintain an up to date electronic record of all matters pertaining to health and safety and risk assessments.
• Ensure each base has the right basic health and safety equipment such as first aid boxes, signage etc.
• Direct contractors and workmen to repair and maintenance jobs and quality assure their work.
• Ensure emergency procedures are in place in the event of fire, flood, break-in accident or major damage, using our external advisory team (LRB) to help you get a system in place across each and to educate staff.
• Take appropriate action to prevent trespass on the school grounds and report incidents of trespass or vandalism.
• Ensure that all grounds are litter and hazard free, ensure all staff understand they share this responsibility
• Ensure all staff receive a health and safety induction
• Monitor severe weather warning reports and alert staff with instructions
• Organise annual H&S training refreshers
• Clarify and communicate to all staff the security procedures for the school and its grounds.
• Attend relevant training as and when necessary in order to secure the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to carry out the duties of the post.
• When required, perform any additional duties necessary to maintain the school building and grounds to a high standard of cleanliness and safety.
• Ensure the efficient maintenance, safety, risk assessments and security of the school and its grounds at all times in accordance with HSE guidance and standards, working with LRB to achieve this
• Ensure staff know your role and responsibilities
• Ensure staff know their H&S responsibilities

Hours

• Monday - Friday 08:30am-16:00pm (Term time only)
• 195 days

Safeguarding:

Woodside is committed to Keeping Children Safe In Education. Part of this position requires you to work closely with vulnerable young people, reporting to Designated Safeguarding Leaders pertinent information about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students. Full training will be provided.

You are not required to disclose convictions or cautions that are ‘protected’, as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If you’re not sure whether one of your convictions is ‘protected’, you can check here (https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/check-your-conviction-caution).

If you accidentally provide information about ‘protected’ convictions or cautions, we won’t take this into account. It is an offence to apply for the role if you’re barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

All appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of pre employment checks.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £40,400.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Private dental insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person