DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a passionate and proactive Workplace Skills Instructor to support students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in developing the essential soft skills required for employment beyond college. This role focuses on preparing learners for the world of work by enhancing their communication, confidence, teamwork, adaptability, and professionalism.
The instructor will work closely with job coaches, curriculum staff, employers, and external agencies to ensure that students are workplace-ready and equipped with the knowledge and behaviours to succeed in diverse employment settings.
For a 39-week (term time only) role, an FTE salary range of £27,186.12 - £29,225.56 is appropriate, aligning with roles that require professional experience, coaching capability, and SEN specialism.

WHY WORK AT QUEEN ALEXANDRA CHARITY

Join our team at Queen Alexandra College!
Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of students with special educational needs? Do you thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment? If so, we want YOU to join our team. QAC has just gone through an exciting rebrand, dealt with a period of swift growth and academic improvement and this is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant College that is moving forward and making a real difference to the lives and futures of our students.
The newly structured Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham offers you the chance to have a positive impact as you join a committed group of colleagues in ensuring that all students achieve their aims and aspirations. We are dedicated to providing exceptional education and support to students with diverse learning needs and life experiences. Our specialist setting fosters an inclusive community where every student is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
QAC offers a vibrant, varied and enriching educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are designed to meet specific needs and support levels are high.

Joining our supportive team, you will have the opportunity to:

• Work closely with students with SEN to achieve their goals
• Make a difference to the educational experience of young people
• Be a voice for students and staff in specialist education
• Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic growth, self-development and self-confidence
• Develop your own skills, aspirations and progress your career.

Our benefits include;
Schedule 1 Benefits (reviewed annually and/or as appropriate)
Academic Year 2024/25

• Access to on site car parking
• Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours)
• Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF)
• Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff
• QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing
• BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services
• Annual Flu vaccination/voucher
• Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers
• Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off. https://www.dell.com/en-uk/lp/dell-advantage
• Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling)
• Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities
• Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes)
• Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period)
• Reward and Recognition Policy – Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service
• Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Occupational sick pay (based on length of service)
• On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation)
• Support for training/ CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding)
• Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.

This list is not exhaustive and may be subject to review and/or change.
We look forward to receiving your application and knowing more about your qualifications, skills,
personal qualities and experience that you would bring to the role and to QAC. Please take time to
review the job description above.
Please upload a CV/Resume* with details of your full employment history (since leaving school,
including education, employment and voluntary work) including reasons for any gaps in
employment. This should also include a statement of the personal qualities and experience you
believe are relevant to your suitability for the post and how this meets the job description and
person specification requirements. Your CV/Resume* will be re-produced in a standard format by
the system (without personal identifiers) to assist us in our anonymised shortlisting process.
Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from
engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College’s Safeguarding Policies are
available here
As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, and in line with updated guidance published in
September 2022, we will carry out an online search of all shortlisted candidates. This search may
enable us to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and publicly available for review
online, which we may wish to explore with you in further detail during the interview process. As part
of your application we have asked you to provide the account names, usernames and/or handles for
any social media platform that you use, as well as the names of any websites that you own, post on,
or contribute to. A Google search will also be conducted. These checks will only be conducted if you
are shortlisted for interview. Please see our safer recruitment and selection policy for further
information.

1. Deliver tailored sessions on soft skills including:

• Communication and active listening
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Time management and organisation
• Problem-solving and resilience
• Confidence and self-advocacy
• Professional behaviour and workplace etiquett

2. Teach practical employment skills such as:

• CV writing, job searching and applications
• Interview preparation and techniques
• Understanding employment rights and responsibilitie

1. Deliver tailored sessions on soft skills including:

• Communication and active listening
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Time management and organisation
• Problem-solving and resilience
• Confidence and self-advocacy
• Professional behaviour and workplace etiquette

1. Teach practical employment skills such as:

• CV writing, job searching and applications
• Interview preparation and techniques
• Understanding employment rights and responsibilities

1. Promote student reflection and progress through:

• One-to-one coaching and feedback
• Monitoring and reviewing work placement logs
• Goal setting and employability action plans

1. Work collaboratively with:

• Job Coaches to support work experience placements
• Employers and placement providers to align expectations
• Curriculum teams to integrate employability into learning

1. Support students to develop into future employees, embedding workplace values and realistic employment aspirations

2. Contribute to employer engagement and maintain awareness of:

• Current job market trends
• Sector-specific requirements and opportunities
• The difference between Micro, SME, and Large (Macro) Employers

1. Maintain accurate records of student progress and contribute to reviews and reporting
2. Role model and promote a collaborative, inclusive and professional environment