JOB PURPOSE  

Purpose of the job: 

• Improving the outcomes that all young people across the city achieve through working with them in ways that raise their aspirations, self-confidence and overall well-being so that they make appropriate career and personal development choices that enable them to participate in appropriate formal or informal learning, training and employment opportunities and reach their full potential. 

• Foster strong connection between school and parent/carers to remove barriers that exist for young people to participate in learning, training and employment.  

• Identifying gaps in vocational opportunities and working with partners to develop and expand relevant provision to better meet the needs of young people. 

• Collaborate with partners to develop vocational provision that aligns with the evolving needs and aspirations of young people. 

NOTE:  You may be required to provide your own means of transport and Business insurance to support pupils at off-site venues within the city. 

 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

Work with young people: 

• Establish, maintain and develop effective relationships which engage young people; including undertaking assessment of their needs; agreeing and delivering support, brokering support where necessary and monitoring their progress. 

• Carry a caseload of pupils and deliver group work sessions  

• Deliver high quality information, advice, guidance and support on all aspects of careers, education, training, employment, vocational choice, citizenship issues and personal development to young people and their parents and carers, individually and in groups, in a variety of settings and locations. 

• Ensure young people are assisted in securing and sustaining suitable opportunities in education, training and employment. 

• Ensure young people are aware of, and proactively support their applications, financial opportunities available to support them in learning and training and other benefit entitlements. 

• Provide personalised support, in one to one or group settings, to young people showing early signs of disengagement, absenteeism, underachievement or social exclusion.  

• Attend and contribute to transition plan meetings particularly in Year 11 and undertake assessments of young people  

• Actively engage young people in the design, development, delivery and evaluation of services and support young people to participate in community-based activities.  

 

Partnership and inter agency working: 

Work in partnership with other agencies to: 

• Develop effective information points in educational and training establishments. 

• Deliver the best possible service to young people, based on a solid understanding of key policies and practices.  

• Contribute to the educational and training establishments; careers education and guidance, citizenship, work related learning and pastoral support programmes. 

• Work collaboratively with other colleagues and professionals from across the city and partner agencies, contributing, where appropriate, to multi-agency networks and forums. 

 

Quality and performance: 

• Deliver services in line with the schools’ policies and other relevant quality standards.  

• Agree and set priorities, objectives, timescales and quality standards with your line manager. 

• Maintain accurate records on the specified database which enables effective caseload management and facilitate the provision of statistical information. 

• Develop and maintain your own professional knowledge, skills and experience, including formal training, self-development activities and networking with other professionals. 

 

Communications/main contacts: 

• Communicate effectively with young people, parents and carers and external stakeholders. 

• Ensure young people are involved in service design, development, monitoring and evaluation.  

 

Other: 

• Represent Compass School at meetings, conferences and other relevant regional or national events as agreed with your line manager.  

• Demonstrate an understanding and evidence of working practices to equality of opportunity, diversity, anti-discrimination and social inclusion policies. 

• Work at all times with due regard to safeguarding children and young people and to promote their well-being.  

• Work with due regard to Compass School’s Health and Safety policies and procedures. 

• Be available to work unsociable hours (on occasions and agreed with your line manager) 

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post.  

 

This job description will need to be responsive to changing needs and will be reviewed regularly with your line manager. 

‘This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment’. 

Closing date 13th May 2024

 

Management Committee Representatives

This is an incredibly exciting time to join the Compass School on its journey of development and improvement. We are a Pupil Referral Unit based in Southampton, and are relentless in the work we do with pupils who have experienced barriers to accessing their education.

We are seeking new members of the Management Committee to help us achieve the highest standards and educational opportunities possible for the children in our care.

We would be particularly interested in people who have a background in education, business, finance, Health and Safety or HR. However, we would welcome anyone with the enthusiasm and interest to effectively challenge and support our school.

Our Management Committee take an active role in making Compass School a better place for our pupils, however you do not need a detailed knowledge of how the education system works.  The range of duties are as follows:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and direction
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of the staff
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
• No one member of the Management Committee is expected to know it all. We attract and rely upon members from a wide variety of backgrounds, share duties amongst our members, and take decisions as a group.

Expectations

At Compass School, we link the Management Committee members to specific school improvement plan objectives as well as to specific subjects.  Some members have a special responsibility, for example, Development and Training, Safeguarding or Health and Safety. We suggest that it will require about 20 hours per term, for tasks including:

• prior reading of paperwork and the preparation of questions before meetings
• attendance at Management Committee meetings (max 6 per term)
• school monitoring visits
• reviewing policies and the school’s budget
• attendance at governor training

For an informal discussion please contact Maria Hughes on 02380 215320 or via email on maria.hughes@compass-school.net or to apply please fill in the Expression of Interest form on the website and email to maria.hughes@compass-school.net

 

Compass School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will require an enhanced DBS check.