Specialist Support Lead

About usThe Sheffield College is a thriving further and higher education community, empowering around 13,000 learners each year to achieve their goals. Driven by our mission to transform lives through learning, we foster an inclusive environment recognised through our 2026 Investors in Diversity Gold award and 3rd - place ranking in the National Centre for Diversitys 2025 Top 100 Most Inclusive UK Employers.About the RoleThe post-holder will report to the Head of Learning Support: Compliance, Quality and Specialist Support and be responsible for the provision of specialist learning support across all provision types at The Sheffield College.They will line-manage the Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) team to ensure early intervention and support individuals for with neurodivergent conditions through screening, diagnostic assessments, study skills mentoring and assistive technology training to help students and apprentices thrive in college.They will also line manage the Communication Support Worker (CSW) team to facilitate seamless interactions between hearing individuals and people who are deaf or hard of hearing to provide effective learning support.In addition, they will work with key partners to source and implement specialist support, as required, to meet all students and apprentices needs in an effective and value for money manner.They will champion a culture where assessment of need is robust, timely and promotes inclusive learning opportunities.Main ResponsibilitiesKey Objectives:Ensure the suitable, timely and effective provision of specialist support for all students and apprenticesDevelop strong partnerships with key organisations to support the delivery of specialist learning supportDevelop strong partnerships with Academy and Sector Leadership teams, raising their awareness of services and processes to ensure their students needs are metDevelop and monitor key performance indicators for the specialist teams, ensuring that they are providing value for money and an effective serviceSupport the development of effective learning support policies, procedures and systems that lead to seamless specialist support for our students and apprentices.The Specialist Learning Support Lead will be responsible for the provision of specialist learning support provision across the Sheffield College (TSC).The Specialist Learning Support Lead will maintain awareness of good practise in relation to the provision of specialist learning support within the context of a General Further Education college as it applies to the delivery of all provision types, to ensure awareness of all relevant legislation, funding requirements, policies and procedures as related to the operation and integrity of specialist learning support delivered by TSC.ComplianceProviding support to the Head of Learning Support: Compliance, Quality and Specialist Support to ensure arrangements satisfy regulatory and/or legislative obligationsPro-actively identifying, anticipating and managing all issues with potential to cause an adverse effect to the provision of specialist learning supportInvestigation of any irregularities threatening the integrity of the delivery of specialist learning support and ensure timely notification and reporting to Head of Learning Support: Compliance, Quality and Specialist SupportTo support and advise Vice Principals, Assistant Principals, Academy Directors, Heads of School, Sector Directors, Head of Data Services and Exams and Heads of Quality Improvement on all issues relating to compliance within the delivery of specialist learning support.MonitoringSample compliance of the delivery of specialist learning support against college policy and procedures, ensuring it meets JCQ requirements where appropriatePrepare reports to provide lines of enquiry which feed into Quality Review processes and/or reports that provide assurance to the Executive Leadership TeamPrepare for and manage audit activity as may be agreed by the Executive Leadership TeamWork with managers in reviewing and updating learning support policies and procedures ensuring regulatory compliance and quality are fully embeddedRecognitionSupporting as appropriate, the collation and maintenance of evidence needed to effectively underpin successful internal and external audits regarding the delivery of specialist learning supportEnsure timely reports on relevant issues and especially those which need to be communicated to the regulator or other key stakeholdersAttend, and ensure your direct reports attend, CPD events in relation to regulatory compliance relating to specialist learning support, provided by the regulators or any other party, as agreed by the Head of Learning Support: Compliance, Quality and Specialist Support.Liaison, Communication and DeliveryLine-manage the SpLD and CSW team effectively and manage relationships with any partner organisations which provide specialist learning support services to our students or apprentices, ensuring high-quality and value for moneyEnsure required resources and compliant spaces are available to carry out the delivery of specialist learning supportDevelop, monitor and report against a set of robust KPIs related to the delivery of specialist learning support that drives continuous improvementEnsure robust recording of specialist support delivery and assist with the preparation of papers for the Executive Leadership Team that provides assurance regarding the provision of specialist learning support against the agreed KPIsEnsure proactive communication with all relevant leaders, managers and staff regarding the provision of specialist learning support to their students and apprenticesEnsure specialist learning support processes are understood and adhered to so that students needs are assessed early, their specialist support is their normal way of working which flow into exam access arrangementsUndertake other tasks as reasonably requested by the Head of Learning Support: Compliance, Quality and Specialist Support.If you want to find out more about the role please contact Lynda Matthias,What we can offer youAs the successful candidate, you will be offered a salary of between £40,746- £47,578 ?per annum based upon a combination of the skills, knowledge and experience that you can bring to the role.Alongside your salary, your pension is one of the most valuable benefits of joining the College. The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) , administered locally by SYPA , provides financial security in retirement and support for your loved ones.Our Full Benefits PackageSYPA with a generous employer contributionAnnual leave -?30 Days ?(222 hours)?+ 8 Bank Holidays?(59.2 hours)-?this includes?a discretionary Christmas closure period?Health and wellbeing support , including:Employee assistance programme through BupaOccupational Health through PAMFree eye tests for VDU usersFree parking is available at the majority of our campusesHybrid and flexible working opportunitiesContinuous professional development opportunitiesA people - focused working culture where you can grow and thriveFurther information?can be found?on our Benefits? and Career Development? ?pages.Disability ConfidentWe are a? Disability Confident employer and are committed to removing barriers for applicants with a disability during our recruitment process, upon appointment and as an employee.?Please review our?Recruitment Guidelines for Disabled Candidates?which provides further information on reasonable adjustments and how the Disability Confident scheme works in practice. If you require any reasonable adjustments or any support at any point throughout the process, please contact? jobs.Armed Forces Covenant?As part of our commitment through the? Armed Forces Covenant , were pledged to support the Armed Forces Community. Recognising the value Personnel, Veterans and military families contribute to our community and country.?Safeguarding?We are an employer who is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. Successful applicants will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to safer recruiting procedures. Further details on our safer recruiting procedures, including the employment of ex-offenders can be found here? SafeguardingNext Steps:To apply:? Click apply online and follow the links to complete the online application. For queries regarding the application process, please contact the Recruitment Team CVs are currently not accepted.?As a Leader in Diversity employer, we encourage applications from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.Closing date: 2nd August 2026Please be aware If we have a high number of applications, we may decide to close the vacancy earlier.?TPBN1_UKTJ