JOB DESCRIPTION

May2013

Job title: Learning ManagerDepartment: Client Services

Team:Crisis Skylight Newcastle Job holder: New post

Reporting to:Director of Skylight Newcastle

Aim

  • To develop and deliver a balanced programme ofclasses and activities within the Newcastle Skylight centre and as outreach in homeless and community facilities in the Tyne and Wear region thatenables our clients to progress towards housing stability, financial security, positive relationships and good health and wellbeing.
  • To ensure that all learning is delivered to the highest recognised quality standards.
  • To deliver up to six hours of teaching per week in own specialism.

Dimensions

  • Linemanage a small team of employees including Tutors (permanent and Sessional) Coordinators and administration staff in line with the Crisis Strategic plan and the Skylight Newcastle five year business plan.
  • Delegated budget responsibility relevant to team’s work.

Circumstances

  • 21 hours per week
  • Willing and able to travel across the North East and the UK for training and meetings.
  • Some evening and weekend work may be required and time of in lieu will be given in accordance with Crisis TOIL policy.
  • A satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service is required for this role.

Salary

  • £18,727 per annum (£31,212FTE)

Background

Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. We are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change.

Crisis Skylight, our award winning and accredited education, training and employment services, offer practical and creative workshops with formal learning opportunities that lead to qualifications and finding work. Crisis has Skylight centres open in London, Newcastleand Oxfordand operates outreach services in Birmingham, Merseyside and Edinburgh. We are opening two outreach services in Coventry & Warwickshire and South Yorkshire in 2013.

Crisis Skylight Newcastle currently operates from City House in the centre of Newcastle and has begun delivering an outreach programme in the Tyne and Wear area which will continue to grow in future years.

Organisational chart

The team structure is subject to review and change

Principal accountabilities

  • To sustain partnerships with a range of agencies both inside and outside the homelessness sector to maximise Crisis clients’ opportunities for engagement, learning and progression.
  • To oversee the design and delivery of a timetable that balances functional skills (literacy, numeracy, ESOL and IT) and the creative and performing arts, offering accreditation wherever possible.
  • To ensure that classes are delivered to internally and externally verifiable high quality standards.
  • To ensure consistency in the identification of client learning needs and the creation of individual learning plans; in the design of schemes of work and lesson plans; and in the preparation for different types of assessment.
  • To co-ordinate in-house and external continuing professional development for all teaching staff
  • To be aware of accreditation routes and non accredited measurement such as RARPA.
  • To motivate and manage staff and volunteers to achieve all goals and targets as set out in the strategic and business plans and to meet external funding requirements.
  • To work closely with the Skylight team to monitor member progression, developing a culture of shared responsibility for the well-being and development of members.
  • To oversee the administration processes required to meet the needs of Crisis and external partners.
  • To effectively monitor performance to meet internal and external targets and standards, reporting on any concerns and undertaking action in consultation with the Director of CSSY to rectify any underperformance.
  • To support staff in other Skylights with information, sharing good practice i.e. resources, accreditations, job descriptions, interviews, policies.
  • To work in partnership and liaise closely with the national Crisis Skylight Learning Managers
  • To ensure quality standards in learning delivery across CSN ensuring systems and practice meet Crisis and Accrediting Body requirements. .
  • To observe lessons systematically to ensure the delivery of quality teachingand embed peer observation and team teaching into the accredited delivery.
  • Overall responsibility for recruitment and coordination of sessional tutors,
  • Participating proactively in public relations and promotional activities.
  • To manage the budget responsibility relevant to team’s work

General

  • To develop and maintain an understanding of the charity’s work and the needs and circumstances of homeless people.
  • To comply with Crisis policies and procedures, including Health and Safety policies, for which all employees owe a duty of care both to themselves and others, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To participate in the continual improvement of resources, learning environments and delivery of effective teaching methods and styles.
  • To participate in professional development activities
  • To carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required in the light of the main purpose of the job.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Person Specification

Essential

  • A qualified and experienced teacher in the FE/ACL environment, who has delivered high quality, successful learning programmes including either functional skills or accredited arts courses in an adult education environment
  • Sound knowledge of best practice and quality standards expected for successful delivery of learning to SFA and OFSTED standards.
  • Knowledge of the Qualifications Framework and different accrediting bodies.
  • Experience of designingand evaluating lesson plans and individual learning plans, appropriate to different levels of learning.
  • Experience of developing timetables and ability to monitor and evaluate the success of learning programmes.
  • Experience of working with vulnerable clients and having an understanding of the issues affecting homeless people.
  • Experience of supervising and managing teaching staff which includes continuous professional development principles and able to be appropriately assertive when dealing with any difficult issues that might arise.
  • Trained or willing to train as an internal verifier.
  • Demonstrate commitment to the mission, vision and values of Crisis, including equality, diversity and social inclusion
  • Excellent written, communication and IT skills
  • A passion for learning and enjoyment of creativity and innovation.
  • Able to manage relationships with external agencies.

Desirable

  • A recognised qualification in adult education or Community Learning and Development
  • Budgetary management and financial control experience

We encourage applications from all sections of the community particularly those with personal or previous experience of homelessness.