The post holder will Lead the Student Experience and Progression Officer (SEPOs) team and those performing aligned roles, coordinating work experience, industry placements and student attendance.
Key facts
- Full-time, permanent post
37 hours per week. - Salary
£29,175 to £31,855, depending upon qualifications and experience. - Closing date
Sunday, 24th September 2023.
The college is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners and expects all staff to share this commitment. Employment at the college is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check via the Disclosure and Barring Service. Any post in regulated activity will also be subject to an additional barred list check.
The post holder will Lead the Student Experience and Progression Officer (SEPOs) team and those performing aligned roles, coordinating work experience, industry placements and student attendance.
They will act internally and externally as the college’s careers lead by gathering and disseminating best practices informed by Gatsby benchmarks. Lead and develop best practices to maximise students' positive experience outcomes, ensuring the SEPO team provides a holistic service for students' non-curriculum college experience.
The post holder will manage the SEPO team, complying with all relevant policies and providing support and challenges. Work with the Director of Quality and Learner Experience to design services meeting student and curriculum requirements on all campuses. Liaise with Heads of Faculty and other college managers to promote SEPO effectiveness.
They will develop and implement efficient systems that manage SEPO workflow and effectiveness and allow other stakeholders to contribute and be informed of the team’s work. Uphold a caseload of SEPO-related tasks, which is to be numerically agreed upon by SLT on an annual basis.
Why choose us?
Set within the Lake District's breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site, Kendal College is an FE college that consistently punches above its weight on the national stage. Under the leadership of our new Principal, the college is embarking on a series of bold steps to grow the college and remain a top-notch education provider for Cumbria and the North West region. Our students focus on their learning, achieve high levels of attainment and consistently give us high satisfaction ratings. The college recognises the wellbeing of its staff as a priority, as well as ensuring that excellent work is appropriately identified and that a healthy work-life balance is maintained.
What we offer
- A generous holiday entitlement.
- Seven efficiency days per year (pro rata).
- Sick pay and pension scheme.
- Support to help you transition into college life.
- Excellent CPD opportunities so you can continue to grow and develop.
- A dedicated and friendly team of professionals keen to develop and learn.
- A college that promotes and supports flexible working.
- Collaborative working within our departments and campuses supports our endeavours to work smarter and effectively balance home and work.
- On-site canteens with locally sourced ingredients.
- A cycle-to-work scheme.
- A comprehensive staff awards, rewards and wellbeing scheme.
What we're looking for
Qualifications
| Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|
| Level 3 (or above) qualification relevant to the SEPO role, for example, in careers, advice and guidance or mentoring | Careers and or advice and guidance at Level 6 or above |
| Grade 4 (old C) or above in English and Maths or level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications | |
| The ability to achieve a level 6 in Carers within 2 years of being in the role. |
Experience
| Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|
| Work with students in a supportive role for their learning journey | Leading a team effectively |
| Give careers advice to students who are not yet in the workplace | Experience within an FE or educational environment |
| Effective use and development of processes to handle and disseminate information | Experience working with employers |
| Developing people or teams | Experience of working with young people in a careers/ personal development environment |
Knowledge & Skills
| Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|
| Knowledge of careers education | Up to date knowledge of labour market information and skills needs locally and nationally |
| Ability to relate to young people and adults | |
| Team player with enthusiasm and perseverance | |
| Evidence of very good organisational skills, encouraging positive, collaborative working practices | |
| Ability to communicate effectively at all levels both internally and externally | |
| Ability to work with minimal supervision but to refer issues appropriately on own initiative | |
| Ability to prioritise, to work under pressure and to meet deadlines | |
| Attention to detail | |
| Excellent written, IT and communication skills |
Applications without the essential requirements will not usually be considered for appointment.
Right to work
All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Documented evidence of eligibility and a photo ID will be required from candidates at the interview as part of our standard recruitment process.
Safeguarding statement
Kendal College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
