Careers Lead

Full Job Description

At OFG we believe in creating a better work life balance

Job Title:  Careers Lead
Location:  3 Dimensions School, Chard, Somerset, TA20 3AJ
Hours:       30 hours per week | Monday–Friday 
Salary:      £25,500 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people? Do you have the compassion, drive and resilience to support some of our most vulnerable learners? If so, you could be the person we’re looking for.

3 Dimensions School is seeking a dedicated and empathetic Careers Lead to champion, support and advocate for young carers across our two sites. This is a vital role at the heart of our pastoral and safeguarding provision — one that ensures every young carer is seen, understood and fully supported to thrive in education.

As our Careers Lead, you will be the key point of support for young carers, helping them overcome barriers to learning and wellbeing. You’ll work closely with pupils, families, staff and external agencies to ensure that young carers feel valued and able to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

This is a role for someone who can build trust quickly, listen deeply and act with sensitivity and purpose.

Please note this role will be supporting both 3 Dimensions School sites; Chardleigh TA20 3AJ & Hummingbird TA20 1PB.

What You’ll Do

• Identify young carers across both sites, build trusted relationships and maintain an accurate register
• Provide targeted pastoral and practical support to remove barriers to attendance, engagement and wellbeing
• Offer regular check‑ins, emotional support and resilience‑building opportunities for young carers
• Coordinate interventions such as mentoring, safe spaces and flexible routines tailored to individual needs
• Work closely with families to understand home contexts and signpost appropriate support services
• Liaise with external agencies and contribute to multi‑agency meetings to ensure joined‑up support
• Train and guide staff on identifying and supporting young carers, raising whole‑school awareness
• Monitor attendance, engagement and overall impact of young carer provision, ensuring alignment with safeguarding and inspection expectations

Who We’re Looking For

Essential

• Level 6 Careers Guidance qualification (e.g., Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development) required.
• Experience working with children or young people, ideally within SEN or pastoral settings
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and pupil wellbeing
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• Ability to work sensitively and professionally with families and external agencies
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage confidential information
• Driving licence required

Desirable

• Experience supporting young carers or other vulnerable groups
• Knowledge of SEND processes, including EHCPs
• Experience working in a school or alternative provision
• Understanding of trauma‑informed practice

About Us

3 Dimensions School is in an exciting phase of growth and development. With not just one, but two school sites! Resulting in a far wider offer of educational places, and a wealth of opportunities for young people with SEN (i.e., Learning difficulties, speech, language and communication difficulties, Autism, ADHD, SEMH, PDA, Attachment Disorder, and young people who have experienced previous trauma).

3 Dimensions School is an Options Autism School, within the Outcomes First Group. We are an inclusive, forward-thinking school, who embrace diversity.

This opportunity is within commutable distance of Chard, Ilminster, Honiton and surrounding areas.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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