Head of Alternative Education

Make a lasting difference to young people who need education to work differently.

Youth Connect South West (YCSW) is an independent, not-for-profit charity committed to supporting young people across Bath, Somerset and beyond. We provide a wide range of opportunities for young people aged 11-25, combining universal and targeted support across youth work, mentoring, careers advice and bespoke educational provision.

We are now looking for an exceptional Head of Alternative Education to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of our Alternative Provision (AP) and SEND education services. This is a significant leadership opportunity for someone who understands that traditional education does not work for every young person and who is passionate about creating flexible, personalised and relationship-led provision that enables young people to thrive.

As a member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will report directly to the CEO and take overall responsibility for the quality, development and performance of our Alternative Education provision. You will lead a diverse team of up to 50 members of staff supporting around 120 young people, many of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and are unable to access mainstream education or training.

Our approach is deliberately relationship-led. We invest heavily in the individual relationships between staff and learners, with key workers providing intensive, personalised support alongside curriculum, teaching, group work and activity-based provision. You will therefore need to be equally comfortable thinking strategically and getting close to the operational detail of delivery.

This is not a traditional education leadership role. We are looking for someone who can combine senior leadership expertise with a genuine understanding of alternative provision, SEND and the needs of young people who may have experienced significant barriers to education.

You will:

• Provide strategic leadership for all Alternative Provision and SEND education services.
• Lead the development and implementation of our education strategy, ensuring it aligns with organisational priorities and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Oversee the design, delivery and continuous improvement of a flexible, personalised curriculum.
• Ensure high standards of teaching, learning, assessment, accreditation and learner progression.
• Lead on quality assurance and inspection readiness, including Ofsted requirements, Self-Assessment Reports and Quality Improvement Plans.
• Ensure compliance with funding requirements, contracts, ILR processes and statutory returns.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Local Authorities, schools, colleges, training providers, employers and other partners.
• Provide strategic oversight of SEND provision, ensuring learners’ needs, dignity and voices remain central to planning and delivery.
• Lead safeguarding across the education provision and ensure robust risk management, health and safety and wellbeing arrangements.
• Set and monitor meaningful performance measures, including attendance, learner outcomes and progression.
• Lead, support and develop a diverse team of education professionals, encouraging reflective practice and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the CEO and wider SLT to identify opportunities for growth and future development.
• Play a key role in exploring and progressing the potential registration of YCSW as an education provider.
• Ensure the financial, operational and educational sustainability of existing and future provision.

We are looking for a senior education leader with substantial experience of alternative provision, SEND, education or further education. You will bring a strong understanding of…