At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?
Our colleagues' wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we're always looking for new ways to improve everyone's work/life balance. We're taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).
4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there's never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!
Job Title: Learning Support Assistant and Work Experience Lead
Location: Heath Farm College, Maidstone, ME16 0ER
Salary: £19,626 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time only
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Learning Support Assistant and Work Experience Lead to join our close-knit team at Heath Farm College located in Maidstone.
About the role
As an LSA to assist in promoting the learning and personal development of the students, enabling them to make best use of the educational and adulthood opportunities available to them.
To lead on the development, embedding and monitoring of a WEX model to secure students in weekly placements.
To model the College Values of Love, Commitment and Opportunity.
Work Experience, (WEX), Lead:
The role of Work Experience Lead is to develop, implement and co-ordinate work experience for students aged 16-19 with complex needs. You will be responsible for finding safe, suitable work placements to meet individual student career aspirations, establishing and maintaining good working relationships with work placement providers, and supporting the students to enable them to access and maintain their placements.
This will involve liaising with families and other professionals to ensure student needs are fully met. As students progress from Heath Farm College into employment, education, training or volunteering, you will collect progression evidence and update the college records.
As Work Experience Lead you will support the college team in ensuring work experience placements meet the individual needs of the student by facilitating them in gaining the skills, knowledge and experience they need to support their learning journey at college and beyond. You will support the team in ensuring directives and policies are reflected and implemented in everyday practice. You will be accountable to the Head of Heath Farm College.
About us
We are an independent specialist sixth form college that caters for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. We offer a unique and stimulating environment where every student is able to make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education.
Heath Farm College is situated in Maidstone and has capacity to support up to 58 students. The provision facilitates a professional post 16 provision for students with EHCPs who are not ready for a large FE college or large school/academy 6th Form provision.
Acorn Education is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education and residential care for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work' for the fifth year running.
Why join Acorn Education?
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you'll get an exceptional reward package including:
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
- "Your Wellbeing Matters" – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that's right for you, including:
- A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
- 100's of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
- Cycle to Work Schemes
- Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
And that's not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you'll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
*You'll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy.
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