Director of Education

Who are we?

Kibble is a specialist provider of services for at risk children and young people across the UK. Many of the young people the organsiaton cares for have experienced significant trauma in their lives and we provide a safe, stable environment that is both nurturing and therapeutic. With a robust support network and wide range of integrated services, we offer young people opportunities and encourage them to believe in themselves, feel a sense of belonging, and realise their own self-worth.

Through our primary, secondary and tertiary education, we aim to transform lives through learning. By offering the right subject choices, combined with a robust support network, we can inspire children and young people to enjoy learning and encourage them to achieve. Young people are referred to Kibble via local authorities when mainstream education has not been effective in meeting their needs. Many young people have experienced bullying, conflict, truancy, and/or low academic grades. Our aim is to reverse this pattern, providing an inspiring education programme, with supportive teaching, to help pupils achieve positive outcomes, while developing valuable life skills.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a Director of Education to join our Executive Team. You will have extensive leadership experience within a complex and challenging education environment within a residential, community or secure care setting. You will have energy, initiative and a passionate commitment to children and young people. We are looking for an inspiring leader, with great people skills and who can demonstrate strong business principles. As a Director, reporting to both Chief Executive and the Board, you will have responsibility for the operational and strategic management and leadership of all education services across the Kibble Group as well as working with Executive Director colleagues in the operational delivery of child centred care, ensuring the highest possible standards for our children and young people. You should be fully committed to developing our organisational vision and strategy.

What is the Job Function?

As Director of Education, you will provide strong, visible and supportive leadership to Heads of Education, and the wider Senior Leadership Team, enabling them to effectively lead their teams and continually review and develop services to improve outcomes. You will work as part of the Executive Team and participate in strategy development, policy formation, management and developing innovative best practice service delivery.

Main Duties:

• Provide strong, visible and supportive leadership, guidance and management to Heads of Education, and the wider Senior Leadership Team, enabling them to effectively lead their teams and continually review and develop service to improve outcomes, ensuring the delivery of high quality efficient and effective services.
• As the professional lead for education, you will lead the development of educational strategy and plans which deliver excellent educational outcomes, learner-focused services and support the effective implementation of organisational objectives and strategy.
• Work with the CEO and wider executive team to contribute to the development of the company’s strategy and lead on educational strategy development to ensure that the company achieves its short and long-term objectives.
• Develop relationships and collaborate with other service providers and statutory and voluntary bodies to develop and coordinate an appropriate approach to meet the needs of local communities.
• Work collaboratively with members of the Executive Team, and Senior Leadership Team, ensure that there is effective co-ordination of all company activities in support of corporate objectives and to ensure the best outcomes for young people.
• To ensure resources are efficiently and effectively used to achieve the organisation's aims, ensuring that the highest standards of care and education are achieved and maintained.
• To take a proactive role in the development of existing and new services.
• To contribute to the organisations strategy, aims and objectives, within the context of fee-for-service, grant and social business activity.
• Promote and maintain a safe, caring and stimulating learning environment.
• Make decisions in relation to referrals, admissions and discharges and support transition strategies for leavers.
• Be knowledgeable about statutory requirements and inspection frameworks.
• Monitor and evaluate the Group's education service provision to maximise its effectiveness in light of the young people’s needs and regional and national priorities.
• To represent the Kibble Group at external forums.
• Work with the Finance Director on relevant educational operational budgets to ensure that the company has all the resources required to meet its objectives within agreed financial parameters to maintain the financial strength of the company.
• As a Director you will be required to attend and contribute to Kibble Board meetings, and where relevant attend relevant Governance Subgroups.
• You will have on-call and out of hours responsibilities

Person Specification:

• Qualified to masters level or equivalent in relevant discipline
• Hold GTC (Scotland) registration
• Leadership/Management qualification and/or experience
• Experience of management and leadership within an educational environment, preferably in residential, community or secure care
• Knowledge and understanding of a broad range of special educational needs and additional needs, including behaviour, emotional and social difficulties, autism spectrum disorders, learning difficulties and health and mental health conditions that may impact on childhood and adolescence
• Experience and/or understanding of leadership
• Knowledge and experience of providing effective teaching and assessment methods
• Knowledge and experience of post-16 education and training.
• Wide experience of managing others and providing support and guidance to staff or peers
• Skilled in supporting and developing relationships with parents, carers, social work departments, educational psychologists and the wider community
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to build trusting relationships with young people and staff
• Thorough knowledge of the sector and its products and processes
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Excellent decision-making skills
• Highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity
• Knowledge and experience of Business Continuity Crisis Management
• Experience and understanding of financial budgeting and forecasting
• Ability to develop and deliver organisational strategic planning
• Experience in Business Development, growth and scaling of organisations
• The company is constantly changing and developing its services and the successful applicant will be one who demonstrates a flexible attitude, resilience and a willingness to lead and embrace the change agenda in the interests of the service
• The ability to build trusting relationships with young people and staff.​​​​​​​

Notes

1. This job outline reflects the main tasks and responsibilities discharged by the post holder at the present time, however, Kibble reserves the right to alter or amend the content of this job outline to reflect changes to the job or services provided, while maintaining the overall character and level of responsibility for the post.
2. Notwithstanding any information or statement described within this job outline, all duties must be carried out in a way that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and respect for all individuals and which is consistent with Kibble’s stated policy on equal opportunities.
3. The successful candidate will be subject to PVG Scheme Membership. Having previous convictions will not automatically disbar you from working at Kibble (with the exception of offences against children or other vulnerable groups) and every case is taken on an individual basis.
4. Prior to commencing in post, you will be required to undertake Safe Crisis Management (SCM) training. The successful candidate must be able to participate fully in this training and be prepared to put this training into practice.
5. Appointments will be subject to a twelve-month probationary period.

To Apply: https://www.jobtrain.co.uk/kibble/

Closing Date: 15 July 2022