Job Title: Additional Learning Support Team Leader (Adults & Apprentices)

Department: Additional Learning Support

Reporting to: Director of Inclusive Learning

Salary: £28,485 – £30,390 per annum (actual salary)

Contract: MC Teaching Support, Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Annual Leave: 30 days per annum, plus statutory Bank Holidays

Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme

Location: Middlesbrough College Main Campus, TS2 1AD

The Role: 

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Additional Learning Support (ALS) Team Leader (Adults & Apprentices) to lead and coordinate Learning Support Assistants supporting adult learners and apprentices with additional and high needs. This role is key to ensuring learners with social, emotional, mental health, behavioural and complex needs are effectively supported to engage, progress and succeed within adult education and apprenticeship programmes. You will provide day-to-day leadership of ALS staff, oversee timetabling and absence cover, and lead on specialist interventions and support planning. You will play a vital role in safeguarding learners and promoting a safe, inclusive learning environment across adult and apprenticeship provision.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead and supervise a team of Learning Support Assistants, including timetabling and sickness absence cover.

• Act as lead practitioner for specialist support and behavioural interventions for individuals and small groups.

• Design and implement behavioural strategies to support learners with High Needs.

• Develop and manage support plans for a caseload of High Needs learners, working closely with tutors and curriculum teams.

• Lead on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) within the assigned directorate.

• Support learner transition, assessment, guidance and enrolment, ensuring opportunities to disclose ALS needs.

• Liaise closely with the High Needs Coordinator and external agencies, including health and care providers.

• Ensure Service Level Agreements are in place with external support agencies.

• Deliver training sessions for new staff as part of the College induction programme.

• Provide in class and exam support where appropriate, including notetaking, reading, writing, and prompting.

• Undertake staff appraisals in line with College policy.

• Actively engage in continuous professional development and service improvement activities.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Qualifications:

• Level 2 qualification in supporting learners in an educational setting (or commitment to complete).

• Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).

• Certificate in Behaviour Management (desirable).

• Team Teach qualification (desirable).

• Teaching or training qualification (desirable).

Experience:

• Experience supporting learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

• Experience working with disengaged learners aged 14–19 (up to 24 with SEN).

• Experience working effectively with external agencies to support learners with complex needs.

• Proven track record of supporting learners to engage and achieve (desirable).

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong knowledge of SEN and barriers to learning, particularly SEMH.

• Experience of completing and contributing to EHCP reviews.

• Excellent leadership, organisational and communication skills.

• Ability to motivate, manage, and develop staff effectively.

• High level of IT competence and ability to prioritise under pressure.

• A professional, flexible, and proactive approach with a strong commitment to safeguarding.

Why Join Us?

• Substantial annual leave entitlement plus holiday purchase scheme.

• Health & Wellbeing; free gym membership, 24/7 counselling for you and your family

• Family-friendly policies: flexible hours and a supportive work environment

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential support including counselling, legal and financial advice.

• Professional development: extensive training, mentoring, and career progression opportunities

• Funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training, and paid volunteering days

• Access to discounted hair and beauty treatments at our onsite salon.

• College benefit scheme – College Extras:

• Up to 15% cashback at top retailers & restaurants

• Discounted gift cards for big brands

• Home & tech upgrades via salary sacrifice

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Discounted onsite car parking.

To learn more about working at Middlesbrough College, please visit our  Work For Us page.

For further details and to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Craig Duggan, Director of Inclusive Learning & ALS on C.Duggan@mbro.ac.uk

Are you ready to make your mark? 

If you’re looking to join a team that cares about their staff wellbeing, values their personal development and works with them to have a positive impact on student experience, come to Middlesbrough College!

About Middlesbrough College 

Middlesbrough College is a leading provider of education and training in the North East, offering A-levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and degree-level qualifications. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to staff development, we’re proud to create opportunities for learners and colleagues alike, fostering an environment where everyone can grow, thrive, and make a real difference.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Across our campus and community, Middlesbrough College is driven by a clear vision, mission, and values that not only shape what we do for students—but also make us a great place to work, grow, and thrive. Find out more here.

Safeguarding Our Students

Middlesbrough College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. All staff are expected to share this commitment. If you’re successful, you’ll be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. All roles within the College carry safeguarding responsibilities, including promoting student welfare, reporting any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and modelling safe and appropriate conduct in line with College policies.

All posts at Middlesbrough College involve regulated activity and are therefore exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) mean that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications, related exceptions and further information.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

As part of our shortlisting process, we will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates to identify any safeguarding or reputation‑related concerns (as required by KCSIE).

Right to work  

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Recruitment Process 

Applications are shortlisted for interview as they are received, and so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to commence the interview process and close the vacancy prior to this date.

Equality & Diversity 

Middlesbrough College is an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make recruitment decisions based on skills and experience. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively support applicants with disabilities.

Please view job description here - ALS Team Leader (Adult App)