Head of Learning Support

Application Deadline: 9 September 2026

Department: Learning Support

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Liverpool

Compensation: £59,043 / year

Description

Key Responsibilities

1. Contribute fully to the mission and values statement of the College ensuring their effective implementation in all aspects of College life. 
2. Assist the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing in managing and overseeing all aspects of an effective and efficient additional learning support department.
3. Assist the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing in promoting the service across the College and to develop a disability friendly culture.
4. Have a thorough understanding of SEND and related issues and practices and demonstrate expertise by overseeing and developing these within the teams. 
5. Is fully up to date with the College’s responsibilities in line with SEN Code of Practice, Children and Families Act 2014 and any other relevant legislation.
6. Is well versed with the latest OFSTED criteria around Inspections (SEND in particular). 
7. Keep themselves up to date with the latest developments in the SEND field (e.g., SEND Green Paper) and prepare the College for the upcoming changes. 
8. Undertake line management responsibilities for Disability Support Team Leader, Learning Support Specialists, the Dyslexia Support team and other key staff within the department supporting their development and setting clear expectations and targets through appraisal. 
9. Carry out Exam Access Arrangement Assessment as and when required. 
10. Ensure that all students with identified support needs, High Needs students, those with EHCPs are appropriately assessed and supported. 
11. Understanding of EHCP application process and experience of applying for and reviewing EHCPs. 
12. Plan and provide appropriate CPD and ongoing support to teachers, teaching managers and support staff to enable the development of a broad and ambitious curriculum and effective pedagogy that will assist staff to use differentiated and inclusive approaches. 
13. Ensure that teaching and support teams are up to date with current legislation and the latest practice in supporting students, including the use of assistive technologies and that staff meet regularly to share best practice and learn from each other.  
14. Evaluate the impact of inclusive teaching and support staff to improve practice.
15. Ensure all staff are kept up to date with teaching and learning strategies that promote effective inclusive practice.
16. Take part in quality cycle processes, identifying areas of weakness and implementing changes to improve them.
17. Oversee the effective initial screening and in-depth assessment of students with specific needs, streamlining processes to ensure that students are quickly engaged and supported and maximising the efficient use of available resources. Liaise with managers and progress teams to identify and address areas of concern regarding students’ pastoral and academic needs.
18. Ensure that individual support plans and care plans are maintained, regularly updated, and shared with curriculum areas through College systems.
19. Ensure that classroom teachers and their managers are fully aware of the support provided to their students, including those with an EHCP, and that they are fully equipped and supported to meet their specific learning needs.
20. Ensure the efficient action planning, review, tracking, monitoring, and recording of students’ support to promote high levels of student achievement and progression.
21. Investigate and apply creative solutions (based upon established theory and practice) within the support service delivery to meet the growing demand efficiently and effectively. 
22. Produce accurate and timely performance reports on key activities within the department and take appropriate action where necessary.              
23. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to secure and maintain successful relationships, including, for example, parents, local authorities, professional bodies, universities, schools, and employers. 
24. Support cross-College activities (open evenings, departmental meetings, parents' evenings, whole College training events), the key enrolment and invigilation periods.  
25. Contribute to and develop a positive and supportive culture for all staff and learners, working towards the highest standards and driving aspiration for all staff and learners, advising on target setting for learners with ALS
26. Support the College Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, Inclusive Learning and Safeguarding policies, processes, arrangements, and objectives. 
27. Take a proactive approach and responsibility for personal professional development, Health & Safety, and meeting other regulatory compliances (e.g. GDPR, DPA, Safeguarding), thereby enabling safe and professional working practices to be always observed. 
28. Carry out any other relevant and appropriate duties as determined by the needs of the service and as appropriate to the grade.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

1. Educated to degree level
2. Recognised teaching qualification
3. Significant teaching experience and arranging exam support for learners with additional needs
4. Recognised qualification(s) in learning support
5. Level 7 qualification in Access arrangements
6. Proven experience of managing learning support services including timetabling to support the needs of leaners.
7. Experience of applying for and reviewing Educational Health & Care Plan and in-depth knowledge of High Needs funding methodologies
8.  A working knowledge of Safeguarding procedures, supporting Safeguarding teams and experience of managing support for learners with mental health needs
9. Proven experience of liaising with and developing positive, collaborative working relationships with teaching teams, parents, outside agencies and local authorities
10. Knowledge of research in this area and ability to creatively apply theory to enhance support to students with learning disabilities and/or difficulties including implementing assistive technologies
11. Proven ability to design/deliver appropriate CPD to support staff and teachers.
12. Up to date knowledge of all legislative requirements.
13. Experience of liaising with outside agencies, parents and local authorities.

1. Committed to the achievement and success of learners
2. Resilient, emotionally intelligent and approachable
3. Skilled communicator and negotiator with experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
4. Excellent organisational and record keeping skills supported by high levels of computer literacy
5. Ability to manage to tight deadlines and conflicting priorities
6. Membership of a relevant professional body
7. Knowledge of safeguarding, equality and diversity, inclusivity and health and safety

Benefits