Careers & Employability Lead

Full Job Description

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Job Title:  Careers & Employability Lead
Location:  Bankside College, Hanley Castle, WR8 0AD
Hours:  37.5 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am – 4.00pm
Salary:  £24,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

We are seeking an inspiring Careers and Employability Lead to shape and deliver a high-quality careers and work-related learning offer at Bankside College. Working with students aged 16+ with additional learning needs, you will play a pivotal role in preparing them for adulthood, independence, and meaningful progression into employment, further learning, or the most appropriate next step.

This is a strategic and hands-on role, focused on building strong employer partnerships, designing impactful programmes, and ensuring students develop the skills, confidence, and experiences needed to achieve their aspirations. You will champion an inclusive, student-centred approach, embedding Preparation for Adulthood outcomes and ensuring alignment with Gatsby Benchmarks.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive careers and employability programme
• Embedding careers education and work-related learning across the curriculum in collaboration with SEND, teaching, and support teams
• Developing strong partnerships with employers, training providers, and community organisations to create meaningful opportunities for students
• Overseeing high-quality work experience and placement opportunities, including risk assessment, monitoring, and evaluation
• Matching students to personalised pathways based on their strengths, interests, and long-term goals
• Supporting staff to deliver engaging, inclusive employability learning that promotes independence and progression
• Ensuring access to appropriate vocational and accredited pathways in partnership with curriculum and accreditation leads
• Leading on careers quality assurance, including audit, evaluation, and action planning
• Managing transition processes and tracking student destinations for up to three years to inform future provision
• Working closely with the Assistant Head (SENDCO), careers curriculum lead, and external professionals to enhance the student experience

If you are creative, organised, and driven to make a genuine difference to students’ futures, we would love to hear from you.

About You

You will be an organised and proactive professional with a strong commitment to delivering inclusive, high-quality careers and employability provision. You will have a clear understanding of how to support students with diverse needs to achieve meaningful outcomes and greater independence.

You will bring:

• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams
• Experience of developing or contributing to whole-college careers and employability provision
• A good understanding of the diverse and complex needs of students aged 16–25, particularly those with SEND
• Knowledge of vocational pathways, accredited qualifications, and work-related learning frameworks
• An understanding of Supported Internships and Preparation for Adulthood outcomes
• A willingness to work towards a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (if not already held) within three years
• A strong commitment to equality, inclusion, and promoting independence for all students

About Us

Bankside College is an exciting new venture near Hanley Castle, Worcester. Working in partnership with the Outcomes First Group and Options Autism, the College will provide a Further Education experience for those aged 16 to 24 year-olds with autism, complex needs and learning disabilities. The main aim of the College is to help its students prepare for adulthood and their next stage in life.

In a new purpose-built building, situated in acres of natural beauty, Bankside College will provide a varied, individualised curriculum to enable its students to gain vocational and independence skills to help them achieve their aspirations. Our staff will work together as a cohesive team, to provide the very best experience for the students which will include practical activities, Maths, English and Digital Literacy. The curriculum will have a focus on individual targets, personal skills and enrichment which will include The Duke of Edinburgh Award. Some students will also take part in supported work experience, social enterprise programmes, and volunteering.

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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