Alternative Provision Manager

Bradford Source: WhatJobs

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Alternative Provision Manager – Secondary School

Location: Bradford
Type: Full-time, Temp-to-Perm
Start Date: Immediate start
Working Hours: 08:30 am – 16:00 pm

Are you an experienced education, youth work or pastoral professional with a passion for supporting vulnerable young people? Do you have the leadership skills, resilience and determination to help students overcome barriers to learning, improve their behaviour and successfully re‑engage with education?

We are currently working in partnership with a specialist secondary setting that provides tailored support for young people who require an alternative approach to mainstream education. We are looking for an Alternative Provision Manager to lead and develop the school’s on‑site alternative provision, supporting students with SEMH and other vulnerabilities to make positive progress and prepare for successful reintegration into mainstream lessons and their next steps in education.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional who can combine strong pastoral leadership with effective teaching, behaviour management, safeguarding and strategic planning.

The Role: Alternative Provision Manager

As Alternative Provision Manager, you will play a key strategic and operational role in developing and leading the school’s alternative provision. You will provide a nurturing, structured environment alongside a personalised curriculum that enables vulnerable students to re‑engage with education and fulfil their potential.

Working closely with senior leaders, teaching staff and the SENDCO, you will oversee the day‑to‑day running of the provision while continuously evaluating and improving its effectiveness.

The successful candidate will be confident working directly with students, including delivering and supporting curriculum lessons, tutorials and interventions with individuals and small groups. You will also play an important role in developing clear reintegration and exit strategies for students.

Your Key Responsibilities

Lead Alternative Provision: Manage and continue to develop the school’s main Alternative Provision as part of the wider pastoral team.
Student Reintegration: Work with senior leaders and teaching staff to prepare students for a successful return to mainstream lessons and their next steps in education.
Personalised Support: Ensure students receive a nurturing environment and bespoke curriculum that reflects their individual needs.
Pastoral & Behaviour Support: Work directly with vulnerable students, supporting their pastoral needs and maintaining high expectations for behaviour and achievement.
Teaching & Intervention: Plan, coordinate and deliver appropriate intervention groups, classes and tutorials, working with students individually and in small groups.
Monitor Progress: Collect, analyse and interpret assessment and behavioural data to identify trends, evaluate interventions and inform future support.
Safeguarding & Wellbeing: Maintain accurate records of attendance, behaviour, safeguarding concerns and student wellbeing, ensuring robust safeguarding practices are followed.
External Partnerships: Develop and manage relationships with external professionals and services, including Educational Psychologists, CAMHS, youth workers and Local Authority officers.
Parent & Carer Communication: Maintain regular communication with parents and carers, including progress meetings, reviews and discussions around next steps.
Quality Assurance: Continuously monitor and evaluate the quality and impact of Alternative Provision, producing evidence‑based reports on interventions and outcomes.
Staff Development: Identify staff CPD needs, coordinate training opportunities and share effective practice around SEMH and supporting vulnerable learners.
Curriculum Development: Ensure an inclusive and personalised curriculum is in place that removes barriers to learning and develops students’ character, competence and sense of community.

What Makes a Great Alternative Provision Manager?

We are looking for someone who combines strong leadership skills with genuine empathy and a commitment to vulnerable young people.

The ideal candidate will have:

Extensive experience working with children and young people, particularly those facing significant challenges.
Experience working within a school or educational setting.
Experience of leading, managing, coaching or supporting staff responsible for student welfare.
A clear understanding of the factors that can lead to educational disaffection and disengagement.
Strong knowledge of strategies for removing barriers to learning.
Experience supporting students with SEMH and other vulnerabilities.
Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and work independently.
The ability to motivate young people while maintaining high expectations for behaviour and achievement.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to work effectively with students, parents, colleagues and external professionals.
Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce concise, accurate and evidence‑based reports.
Excellent IT skills and experience using systems such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
A strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm and effective when working with challenging behaviour and attitudes.
High levels of discretion, confidentiality, reliability, adaptability and professionalism.
A proven commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
The ability to establish appropriate professional relationships and maintain clear boundaries with young people.
A relevant Level 4 qualification or equivalent. A Level 5 qualification or above, SEMH/SEN-related qualifications and First Aid training would be advantageous.

Why This Role?

This is an excellent opportunity to take on a key leadership role within an Alternative Provision setting, where your work can have a direct and lasting impact on some of the most vulnerable young people.

You will have the opportunity to shape and develop provision, work closely with senior leaders and specialist professionals, and help students overcome barriers that may otherwise prevent them from succeeding in education.

The role would suit an experienced Alternative Provision Manager, Pastoral Leader, Behaviour Lead, SEMH Lead, Inclusion professional, Youth Worker or experienced education professional looking for their next challenge.