Additional Learning Support (ALS) Manager

Subjects/Department: Learner Services

Reports to: Assistant Principal Learner Services / Lead DSL

Holidays: Largely in line with local authority term dates including an extra week in October half term

Disclosure: The successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Message from the Hiring Manager

At Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, we are excited to be building on our Sixth form provision in London. Alongside this we have launched a new 16-19 provision in Manchester in this September! This expansion marks a significant step in Ada’s mission to make the tech sector more representative and address the growing need for skilled digital professionals across both cities.

As a skilled ALS Manager you will support and drive key operational and strategic functions, helping shape the future of inclusion and support across the college and within Teaching and Learning to 16-19 year olds and Apprenticeships.

The ideal candidate will be inspired by Ada’s mission to empower the next generation of diverse digital talent and will play a key role in building a high achieving 16-19 provision at Ada. We welcome applications from ALS professionals, SENCOs and ALS Managers with experience of leading support for learners with SEND in a 6th Form or Further Education setting that are looking for the next step in their careers.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Quality of SEND Education

• Lead on the continuous improvement of SEN/ALS provision, embedding an inclusive culture across the college and within Teaching and Learning.
• Coordinate with external agencies, parents/carers, manage consultations, EHCP, annual review paperwork, and represent the college in professional meetings.
• Oversee exam access arrangements in collaboration with the Exams Officer.
• Lead the creation of learner passports to implement reasonable adjustments for students with High Needs/ALN.
• Train staff on SEND support, lead relevant CPD, and secure/deploy High Needs Funding in a timely manner with Finance department.
• Support apprentices in London and Manchester through assessment, guidance, and workplace adaptations.

Safeguarding, Behaviour & Attendance

• Collaborate with external agencies to ensure student welfare.
• Monitor, review, and manage the behaviour, attendance, and punctuality of SEND learners, implementing appropriate rewards and sanctions.
• Support teaching staff in developing effective behavior management strategies.

Personal Development (Sixth Form)

• Assist the Assistant Principal of Learner Services in developing the PSHE curriculum and ensuring inclusive enrichment, assemblies, and independent learning opportunities.
• Guide students in applying for bursaries and ensure effective progression into the digital sector or higher education.

Leadership & Management

• Inspire, motivate, and line manage Learning Support Assistants, fostering a culture of clear expectations.
• Communicate student progress to parents/carers via consultation evenings and formal reporting.
• Model Ada’s values (Curiosity, Rigour, Creativity, Collaboration, Resilience) and improve student experience ratings.
• Support staff recruitment, student interviews for additional needs, and operational college activities.
• Contribute to key events (open days, Lift Off days) and build relationships with industry, education partners, and the community.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Experience of working in a senior ALS position within a school/college or similar environment.
• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject.
• Pastoral and SEND experience with KS4, post 16 or adult learners and an understanding of what excellent pastoral and SEND support looks like.
• Experience working as a SENCO, ALS Coordinator, ALS Senior or in supporting a leadership role.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Experience of leadership in a pastoral or SEND educational context.
• Experience of working with third party agencies.
• Experience of leading or coordinating the support of students with special educational needs and disabilities, for instance as a SENCO or an ALS Coordinator or ALS Senior.
• Experience of leading teams within an educational context and evidence of a positive and sustained impact.
• Experience of coaching and developing teachers and/or pastoral staff to help them improve their practise.
• Knowledge of industry, ideally the tech sector, and ideas of how to invigorate the curriculum to support learners with additional needs by harnessing industry’s challenges and ways of working.

Leadership and Management

• Genuine passion and belief in the potential of every learner.
• An educational vision aligned with the college’s high aspirations.
• Clear strategies for establishing consistently high standards of results and behaviour in complex inner-city schools and a commitment to relentlessly instilling these.
• Versatility to adapt your style in circumstances where an alternative approach is needed.
• Effective line management of a range of people – coaching and motivating them to achieve excellent results in their roles.
• A desire to innovate and try new approaches, being reflective and learning from mistakes.
• An ability to give feedback in a constructive and, where needed, challenging way.
• An ambassadorial approach in all dealings with the community and subsequently to be positive in successfully marketing the college in the community.
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills which includes the ability to delegate, prioritise and use effective time management.
• Resilience and motivation to stay positive and focus on key priorities during times of challenge.
• Confidence and effective presentation skills during assemblies, parents and carers events and other public speaking opportunities.
• A willingness to work flexibly and where necessary outside of normal working hours.

Additional Benefits

• Aviva Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing support with access to free financial coaching and advice, paid mental health days and free counselling services.
• A wide range of discounts including UNIDAYS and Everyone Active Gym membership.
• Comprehensive CPD package to support your personal and professional development.

How to Apply

Please send your cv and include a cover letter addressing how you meet the person specification to jobs@ada.ac.uk.