Assistant Principal: Student Support and Experience

The Context

Blackburn College has a distinctive position in further and higher education. We are one of the largest providers of HE in FE in a college environment, and the scale of our provision is matched by our influence and innovation. We achieve very significant outcomes for students and respond to every opportunity to meet the needs of employers and seek to be their provider of choice.

Student experience is at the heart of the college ethos and the Student Support and Engagement service area is committed to providing excellent support and influencing positive outcomes and destinations for all of our students. Our reputation for high quality student support together with a local and regional connection to external agencies, ensure that our student experience is driven by individual needs and a desire to make a difference.

We have been providing quality education for many years and continue to grow and develop to meet the demands of our local school leavers and adult learners. Our diligent staff work to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn, enjoy and achieve at College.

We will continue to meet the demands of stakeholders and, above all, students. This post represents an important statement of intent: including continuing to transform the lives of individuals, heightening our impact on business and communities, while maintaining the quality of our education.

The Post

As a member of the College Executive team, the Assistant Principal: Student Support and Experience will lead all aspects of student experience and support linked to the student journey. As the Assistant Principal: Student Support and Experience you will lead a First Class Student Experience and provision of support development of personal and employability skills, including expectations and standards for behaviour management and welfare, and careers development of students across the College including all aspects of Safeguarding.

The role will focus on the effective leadership and management of the provision of timely and appropriate student support and safeguarding services including Additional Learning Support and the development of employability skills across a range of areas across the College.

This role will lead all aspects of safeguarding intervention across the whole College and the implementation of the Prevent Duty (outlined in statutory guidance) fulfilling the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Single Point of Contact (SPoC) for Prevent.

This cross-college role is responsible for developing and fostering relationships with both local and regional partners to ensure the delivery of outstanding student support, student engagement and employability skills leading to very high rates of retention, achievement, and progression. You will fulfil the role of Careers Leader and represent the college and local, regional and national events.

You will be accountable to the Principal and Chief Executive and be supported by the service area management team who will work alongside you to manage the delivery outstanding support and student experience.

The Person

Applicants must have relevant experience and perspectives. The person will have high credibility within the College and in all its strategic and operational contexts.

Successful delivery of the role of Assistant Principal: Student Support & Experience requires a person who will add value to an already developed body of provision, and will:-

- demonstrate clear understanding of both the market and policy context affecting Safeguarding and the Student Experience.
- ensure full institutional compliance with official mandates, demonstrating knowledge of achieving best institutional outcomes;
- be comfortable with and demonstrate success in meeting targets;
-  deliver clear strategic thinking, complemented by the ability to translate policy into successful delivery;
- provide inspirational leadership, leading a first class student experience and provision of support development of personal and employability skills.
- have an acute understanding of and practice in business planning;
- develop external links as appropriate, incorporating business opportunities and academic partnerships;

As an individual you will be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Blackburn College values diversity and is committed to creating a diverse workforce.

Closing Date for applications: 9am Wednesday 19^th May 2021.

Scheduled Date of Assessment Centre: Tuesday 15^th  June 2021

For an informal discussion please contact Andrew Pickles – 01254 292189 / Andrew.pickles@blackburn.ac.uk

Please apply via the link.