Principal

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Job Title: Principal (Head of Service)

Salary: Up to £85,000 per annum plus performance related bonus 

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Hours: Full time, Permanent 

If you really want to make your mark in a rapidly growing business that is committed to improving the lives of children and young people, we have the role for you!

We are looking for a Principal/Head of Service to join our team at Acorn Education & Care (Part of the Outcomes First Group) at The Grange Therapeutic School in Oakham, Leicestershire. Someone who has passion, drive and commitment to deliver inspirational leadership to a multi-disciplinary staff team across a school, children’s homes and health and therapy team would be perfect for this role. The new Head of Service needs to be someone who builds outstanding relationships with young people across the spectrum of need.

Experience of working within the Education and Care Sectors and having experience of working with complex needs is important to us, but if you have worked in Education or Care and have Operational Leadership Skills we would be really keen to receive your application. 

About the Group

We are part of Acorn Education and Care and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.

We provide Education and Care across a number of schools and residential homes nationally. Our specialist SEN provision, coupled with our expertise within residential care means we offer thousands of vulnerable children and young people across the UK a holistic, wraparound care, residential and education service, empowering them with everything they need to flourish. It is by no accident that 94% of our schools and homes are rated as Outstanding or Good.

We welcome staff who share our commitment to help children experience better days and better lives. Through ongoing development and training, we ensure our staff are well prepared for their jobs and are given every opportunity to extend their skills.

About the Role

In the Outcomes First Group, we put the child’s needs first aiming to exceed expectations, promoting as much independence as possible and nurturing a fun, family atmosphere. As Principal, you will provide inspirational and motivational leadership with a primary focus on quality. You will set strategy, working with the team to balance care, therapeutic and educational initiatives, delivering a multi-disciplinary approach that maintains a fun and nurturing environment whilst achieving for the children.

Working with the Regional Director and Governors, you will ensure the school, health and therapy service and children’s home has effective management and the required team capability to further develop and continually improve.

You will be joining an experienced and committed staff team and will have the opportunity to help set the direction of a successful school and children’s home that is unique in its region. You will have access to shared best practice, an unrivalled peer group and a wealth of experience across all the Outcomes First Group Schools and Residential Services.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic leader who shares our values, inspires and motivates our staff, and delivers outstanding support, care and outcomes to the young people we serve. You will lead by example as a visible presence, interacting and engaging with the cross disciplinary team within the School, Children’s Homes, and the wider Group.

We are interested in applications from senior staff who have proven and significant experience in SEN teaching, as well as experience of working in a residential setting, and a working knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations and Care Standards. You will understand the challenges within the education and care provisions and you will champion the advantages of an integrated approach. As Head of Service you will be accountable for regulatory compliance and safeguarding.

We are looking for someone who knows how to bring a creative and innovative approach to improving performance and support for our pupils and their families. As an excellent communicator, you will act as an ambassador and will have demonstrable experience of working in partnership with parents, commissioners, local authorities and other stakeholders.

In return for your experience and commitment, we offer outstanding career opportunities within the wider Outcomes First Group. You will have access to best practice, a network of great Headteachers, Care Leaders and experts and the chance to shape the future and ongoing development of the school and children’s home.

Why join Acorn Education & Care?

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the children and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to a fully enhanced DBS.

Job ID: 191165