Job Description

JOB TITLE:

Employment and Work Experience Manager

LOCATION:

Petty Pool Vocational College, Pool Lane, Sandiway, Cheshire, CW8 2DR

REPORTS TO:

Assistant Principal for Employment and Careers

SALARY:

38,613.12 - 43,459.41 per annum

HOURS:

Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm - 35 hours per week

DBS:

Enhanced check required

Closing date: Wednesday 23rd July

Interviews: Monday 28th July

About Petty Pool College

Petty Pool College is a leading specialist further education college for young people aged 16-25 with learning disabilities and difficulties. As part of the wider Petty Pool Trust, we are committed to empowering neurodiverse learners through inclusive pathways that lead to employment, independence, and meaningful life outcomes. We strive to be a Centre of Excellence for Inclusive Employment Pathways, driving innovation and ambition in all that we do.

Work experience and employment preparation are central to our curriculum. We aim to provide every learner with high-quality opportunities to gain real-world experience and develop the skills they need to thrive in the workplace.

Purpose of the Role

The Employment and Work Experience Manager will lead the operational planning, delivery and evaluation of all learner work placements and Supported Internships. The postholder will oversee employer engagement, job coaching, and the Careers & Futures team, ensuring that all learners access high-quality, safe, and meaningful employment preparation opportunities aligned to their aspirations and EHCP outcomes.

A key focus of the role is to lead the ongoing development of our post-college Supported Internship programme, ensuring its sustainability, growth, and national recognition as a model of outstanding inclusive practice.

Key Responsibilities

Supported Internships and Employment Pathways

Provide full strategic and operational oversight of Petty Pool's post-college Supported Internship programme, ensuring alignment with the Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) outcomes and individual EHCP goals. Drive the growth and sustainability of the SI offer with the ambition of becoming a Centre of Excellence for Supported Internships within the region and beyond. Oversee all aspects of placement delivery, including learner recruitment and assessment, employer matching, coaching support, and progression planning. Lead on the development of sustainable funding models for the SI programme, maximising opportunities through: Study Programme funding (DfE) Access to Work (ATW) applications, renewals and monitoring Additional supported employment grants or pilot schemes Ensure all documentation, processes and compliance requirements for funding claims (e.g., ATW evidence, job coaching logs, impact reports) are consistently and accurately maintained. Monitor destinations and employment outcomes, feeding data into the college SAR, QIP and external reporting as required.

Work Experience and Placement Coordination

Oversee the full planning cycle of all learner work placements, including internal work experiences, external placements, and pre-internship employability programmes. Ensure all work-based learning opportunities are aligned with learner pathways, aspirations, and skills development. Collaborate with curriculum staff and learner mentors to prepare learners for placements and ensure appropriate levels of support are in place. Manage placement scheduling, documentation and review processes in line with college policy and regulatory expectations.

Staff Leadership and Management

Line manage and support the following staff: Work Experience Placement Officer Job Coaches Careers and Futures Lead Set clear expectations, provide ongoing CPD opportunities, and foster a high-performing and inclusive team culture. Coordinate regular team meetings, supervisions and impact reviews aligned with strategic objectives.

Employer Engagement and Partnerships

Lead employer engagement strategy, building a network of inclusive employers and long-term partnerships. Champion inclusive hiring practices and promote the value of neurodiverse workforces to employers. Collaborate with external stakeholders, including Local Authorities, DWP, Job Centre Plus, and national organisations (e.g., BASE, Youth Futures Foundation) to strengthen local and regional impact.

Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG)

Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of CEIAG across the college, ensuring it is embedded within curriculum planning, learner reviews, and progression pathways. Align all careers education activity with the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring learners receive high-quality, impartial, and aspirational guidance tailored to their needs. Oversee the work of the Careers and Futures Lead, ensuring that: Learners are supported in making informed choices about their futures. Careers education is person-centred, inclusive, and responsive to learner aspirations and EHCP outcomes. Learners are meaningfully exposed to employers, workplaces, and progression options, both within and beyond college. Work collaboratively with the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Employer Partnerships to integrate CEIAG into curriculum design, work placement preparation, and Supported Internship transitions. Monitor and evaluate the impact of CEIAG provision using destination tracking data, learner feedback, and employer engagement records. Ensure Petty Pool's CEIAG provision is inspection-ready, with a clear intent, implementation, and impact narrative.

Compliance, Safeguarding, and Monitoring

Ensure all placements meet statutory requirements for safeguarding, health & safety, and GDPR. Oversee risk assessments, placement agreements, travel plans and any reasonable adjustments required. Ensure accurate and timely recording of all placement activities on the college MIS (e.g., Databridge), with robust monitoring systems in place.

Evaluation and Impact

Track progress and outcomes for all learners engaging in employment preparation activity. Collect learner, parent, and employer feedback to inform continuous improvement. Contribute to the college's Self-Assessment Report (SAR), Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), and other strategic documents.

Safeguarding

Petty Pool College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The postholder will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and ensure that all placement environments uphold high standards of safety and learner wellbeing.

Person Specification

Experience coordinating work placements, Supported Internships or employment programmes. (E) Strong knowledge of SEND and the Preparation for Adulthood agenda. (E) Experience in accessing and managing Access to Work funding.(E) Strong organisational and logistical skills, with experience managing multi-agency partnerships. (E) Experience of line managing staff, including performance monitoring and development planning. (E) Familiarity with Databridge or similar MIS platforms. (D) Qualification in IAG, supported employment, or job coaching. (D) Experience of writing funding applications or managing DfE-funded study programmes. (D) Knowledge of relevant compliance frameworks for FE and employment programmes. (D)
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 38,613.12-43,459.41 per year

Benefits:

On-site parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 23/07/2025