Trainee progression coaches jobs

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

You will be the first point of contact for apprentices, training providers and internal stakeholders, helping to drive engagement and ensure high-quality delivery.

This is a varied role ideal for someone confident with systems, data and stakeholder management, who is passionate about creating opportunities for learners and supporting staff development.

If you’re organised, proactive and excited about improving apprenticeship experiences across a large, high-performing education trust, we’d love to hear from you.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Reporting to the Apprenticeship Manager you will be responsible for:

• Acting as the first point of contact for apprenticeship queries, training providers and internal stakeholders
• Helping promote apprenticeship opportunities internally and supporting recruitment and upskilling initiatives across the Harris Federation
• Providing support to manage the Harris Federation apprenticeship levy, tracking costs, progress and compliance with funding requirements
• Organising and promoting Apprenticeship events and information sessions across the Federation and academy sites, supporting senior leaders in promoting apprenticeships and recruiting future apprentices
• Supporting internal and external marketing for apprenticeship activities as part of wider employer branding and promoting engagement events to increase awareness and understanding of apprenticeships
• Facilitating an apprenticeship network and supporting development opportunities such as award nominations
• Maintaining and advising on safeguarding compliance, including neuro-inclusion, in alignment with the Ofsted framework, especially for under-18 apprentices
• Supporting the Apprenticeship team with projects focused on implementation, procurement, quality assurance and evaluation to expand levy use or facilitate levy transfer
• Working with the marketing team to create marketing materials, update the Apprenticeship SharePoint, produce event leaflets and share internal communications promoting Apprenticeship programmes

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• The ability to establish a new role in the Harris Federation and work collaboratively with key stakeholders to deliver successful apprenticeship programmes
• Strong project management skills with experience of complex projects with multiple stakeholders
• Experience of working across a large organisation, developing and delivering initiatives and maintaining stakeholder relationships
• The ability to travel to Federation academies in and around London and Essex as required
• Experience of managing a Learning Management System within the FE sector and working with the third-party service provider to ensure the platforms are user friendly and up to date
• Supporting with tracking of tickets within the learning management system and working together with the third-party service provider to resolve any issues and ensuring the platform is fit for purpose
• Experience of ILR monthly declaration and its analysis using various MIS platforms

For a full job description and person specification please download the Job Pack.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.

Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.

When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.

A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.

OUR VISION & VALUES

Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.

We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual performance and loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

Are you passionate about working 1-to-1 with young prison-leavers from a variety of backgrounds; many of whom are from marginalised communities, to help them lead more stable, rewarding lives?

As a Switchback Mentor, you will play a vital role in transforming the lives of young prison-leavers, helping them break free from the justice system and build stable, rewarding futures. You will be responsible for building your own caseload by engaging directly with young men in prison and providing intensive support after their release. In addition to working with those you meet in prison; you will also support Trainees referred to the programme after they have already been released.

Once on the programme, you will maintain regular contact with Trainees, meeting face-to-face at least once a week to help them navigate the challenges of being recently released from prison and work towards their goals. Most importantly, you will do this in a way that reflects Switchback’s core values: putting Trainees at the heart of everything we do, setting high expectations, and building authentic, supportive relationships that enable lasting change.

It is essential that Mentors can confidently and professionally engage with all Trainees who meet the eligibility criteria for the Switchback programme, providing them with the support and guidance needed to move forward positively.

What you’ll get when you work for us:

Switchback takes the development of Mentors very seriously. Switchback Mentors are the drivers of our impact, and we will help to build your expertise as a practitioner through our in-house training in our unique change model. This is complemented by a comprehensive training and supervision package including: regular psychologically informed 1:1 clinical supervision and group reflective practice sessions and an annual, individualised training budget. You will also join a structured progression pathway which can provide opportunities to further develop management skills and technical expertise, informed by your own learning goals.

Switchback understands the challenges and complexities faced by the young people we work with. To ensure Mentors can provide the highest level of support, we intentionally keep caseloads low. This allows Mentors to dedicate the time and resources needed to build strong, meaningful relationships and offer Trainees the intensive, tailored support they need to make lasting change.

The Tower Project is an East London based disability charity that delivers a wide range of innovative services for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism.

At the forefront of its innovative services delivery is the award-winning Tower Project Job, Enterprise, and Training (JET) Service, East London’s leading provider of supported employment and training services for young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism.

As Job Coach, you will empower adults of all ages with learning disabilities and autism to build real workplace skills through our paid accessible apprenticeship programmes. You will deliver focused, hands-on coaching to help apprentices succeed on their apprenticeships and progress into sustained employment, whether with their placement host or another employer.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Job Coaching

You will provide hands-on workplace coaching that enables clients to develop competence, independence and resilience, supporting successful progression into sustained employment.

• Deliver in-work coaching, breaking tasks into manageable steps and systematically fading support.
• Conduct detailed job and task analysis to ensure clarity of role expectations.
• Support apprentices to develop technical skills, workplace behaviours and professional standards.
• Produce in work communication passports for apprentices and identify and implement reasonable adjustments in partnership with employers.
• Support apprentices to manage workplace anxiety, communication differences and confidence barriers.
• Develop natural workplace supports, including peer mentors and team-based assistance.
• Provide structured travel training to promote independent commuting.
• Monitor progress against apprenticeship goals and employment outcome targets.

Employer Partnerships and Placement Support

Maintain professional, positive relationships with employers and placement hosts secured through the JET employer engagement strategy.

• Act as the key day-to-day contact for employers once an apprentice is placed.
• Support employers to implement inclusive practices and reasonable adjustments.
• Provide guidance on supporting employees with learning disabilities and autism.
• Identify progression opportunities within existing employer partnerships.
• Escalate new employer development opportunities to the Employment Support Team.

Advice, Guidance and Development

You will deliver structured, person-centred support that enables clients to clarify their employment aspirations and take practical, achievable steps towards sustained paid work

• Develop vocational profiles identifying strengths, aspirations and support needs.
• Deliver structured one-to-one sessions reviewing progress and updating action plans.
• Support development of employability skills including CV preparation, interview techniques and workplace communication.
• Encourage independence, resilience and self-advocacy.

Monitoring & Reporting

• You will ensure accurate tracking of client progress and contribute to demonstrating service impact.
•  Maintain accurate and up-to-date digital records and action plans.
• Track outcomes and contribute to performance data and reporting requirements.
• Contribute case studies and evidence demonstrating sustained employment outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection and health and safety policies.
• Support employers with completing workplace risk assessments prior to placement start.

Professional Responsibilities

• You will uphold high professional standards while contributing to the overall success of the service.
• Work towards agreed KPIs relating to sustained employment and progression.
• Participate in supervision, appraisal and ongoing professional development.
• Maintain knowledge of supported employment practice and inclusive workplace standards.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.
• Represent the service professionally with employers and partner organisations.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties required to support effective service delivery