LIFE Senior Lead

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.  

The starting salary for this role is £42,958 per annum based on working 36 hours per week, on site at our Frimley Green Learning Hub.

This role is offered as a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity for 12 months to provide maternity cover.

LIFE is a post-16 alternative education provision supporting young people in Years 12–14, including learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and those who may have experienced significant disengagement or unsuccessful experiences within education.

Our aim is to provide a positive and individualised experience of education that helps young people re-engage with learning, overcome barriers, achieve meaningful outcomes and prepare successfully for their next steps into further education, employment, training and adult life.

This is a hands-on leadership role combining direct teaching, staff management, safeguarding and learner progression. You will remain actively involved in working with and teaching our young people while also providing leadership and support to the wider LIFE team.

You will directly design, plan and deliver engaging formal and informal learning tailored to individual learner needs, EHCP outcomes and personalised learning plans.

Alongside your teaching responsibilities, you will line manage Specialist Support Staff, providing supervision, guidance and development and supporting consistent, high-quality practice across the provision.

As LIFE's Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), you will take an active role in safeguarding practice, supporting decision-making, responding to concerns and managing risk. You will provide DSL cover in the absence of the Centre Manager within delegated responsibilities and in line with safeguarding policy and procedures.

You will also lead on learner progression, helping to ensure that education, accreditation, EHCP outcomes, employability, work experience and transition planning come together to provide meaningful and achievable next steps for each young person.

This is a varied role which encompasses many different responsibilities and duties, aside from what we have already mentioned, you will:

• Directly plan and deliver teaching and learning to LIFE learners, adapting delivery to individual needs, EHCP outcomes and personalised learning plans.
• Lead by example in delivering engaging, inclusive and outcomes-focused learning.
• Monitor and support the quality and consistency of interventions delivered by Specialist Support Staff.
• Provide guidance to the LIFE Tutor and Specialist Support Staff to support effective provision and transition for learners.
• Respond to safeguarding concerns, contribute to safeguarding decision-making and escalate concerns where required.
• Monitor learner progress and progression information and identify actions to improve outcomes.
• Support the development of LIFE's post-16 employability curriculum.
• Develop meaningful work experience opportunities and build positive relationships with employers, supporting their understanding of young people with SEND.
• Develop effective links with employers, education and training providers and external agencies to strengthen progression opportunities.
• Contribute to multi-agency planning and transition arrangements for individual young people.
• Work confidently with learners, families and professionals, including where situations may be complex or challenging.
• Support the effective day-to-day operation of LIFE and deputise for the LIFE Manager when required.
• Provide ad-hoc Exam Officer cover when required.

Contract: Secondment N/A

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• A teaching qualification and relevant degree and/or relevant qualification.
• Significant experience of working with young people with SEND and/or behavioural needs.
• Experience of managing staff within an education setting and supporting others to develop their practice.
• Experience of identifying and responding appropriately to safeguarding risk within education or a similar setting.
• Experience of engaging employers and external providers.
• The confidence and ability to directly plan and deliver high-quality teaching and learning for young people with a range of individual needs.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with young people, families, colleagues and external professionals.
• The ability to communicate with compassion and authority in challenging situations and effectively engage people in complex circumstances.
• The ability to assess, plan and review support and use information effectively to improve learner outcomes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a flexible, solution-focused approach.
• The confidence to work independently, make appropriate decisions within delegated responsibility and recognise when matters need to be escalated.
• A commitment to inclusive education and helping young people develop confidence, independence and meaningful pathways into adulthood.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and personal statement.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.  

This role is subject to an online / social media check as part of our safer recruitment processes, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance. 

An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.  

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Jo Heath on 01276-800224  or by e-mail at jo.heath@surreycc.gov.uk

This advert closes at 23:59 on the 15th of November 2026.

Please note that the successful applicant must be available to commence employment on or before the 31st of January 2027. 

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is West Surrey Council subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year. Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council. 

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria, as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.   

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs. 

• BM-2026-216 - PS09 - LIFE Senior Lead.pdf - LIFE Senior Lead- Job Description