About the role
Ready for a new direction while keeping a real connection to education? This is an opportunity to bring your experience in alternative provision, SEND or education into a growing team and make a difference across the children and young people we support.
At The Catchup Academy, we provide bespoke tuition and alternative provision for learners who need support beyond mainstream education. You will be the trusted, approachable specialist our account managers turn to for advice, helping them deliver effective provision and confidently navigate local authority expectations.
Your main focus will be supporting the team, including LA review and quality assurance meetings, freeing up the Managing Director and Associate Director to focus on leading and growing the service. You will also manage one local authority account of your own, keeping your knowledge grounded in current commissioning needs and giving you opportunities to grow your earnings and share what works.
What you will do
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Be the first point of contact for account managers on education, SEND, delivery queries and more complex placements, offering practical advice and coaching.
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Prepare for, attend and lead agreed LA review and quality assurance meetings, supporting colleagues with evidence, learner progress and follow-up actions.
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Help account managers address complaints, attendance or engagement concerns, working with the Quality Assurance Manager to improve practice.
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Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: respond to concerns, support staff and escalate to the lead DSL in line with policy. Take urgent protective action where required.
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Become our internal Tutexa expert, helping colleagues and commissioners use the portal and ensuring attendance, feedback and progress information is useful and up to date.
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Manage a local authority account, coordinating referrals and delivery, building relationships and identifying suitable opportunities. Share learning and best practice with the wider team.
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Provide agreed cover for urgent account matters during colleagues’ absences, keeping team support as the priority.
A management role without line management
You will have responsibility for practice and delivery standards, without formal line management of account managers. You will work closely with the Associate Director, Quality Assurance Manager and safeguarding leads.
What you bring
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Strong experience in alternative provision, SEND, inclusion or an education setting supporting children with additional or complex needs.
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Practical knowledge of EHCPs, safeguarding, learner engagement and the expectations of local authorities and schools.
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Confidence contributing to or leading reviews, explaining progress and handling sensitive conversations.
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Experience supporting colleagues, coordinating provision or improving practice, with a calm, approachable style and sound judgement.
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Strong organisation, clear written communication and confidence learning digital systems. We will support you to become confident with Tutexa.
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An interest in building commissioner relationships and recognising opportunities that meet learner needs and support sustainable growth.
Previous DSL or Deputy DSL experience is strongly preferred. Relevant training and induction will be provided before taking on independent delegated safeguarding responsibilities. QTS, SENCO qualifications or specialist SEND training are desirable rather than essential; relevant professional experience is equally valued.
Your first three months
First 30 days
Get to know our team, provision and systems; complete safeguarding induction; agree priorities and the handover of your LA account.
By 60 days
Become a reliable point of support, take ownership of agreed review meetings and your account, and share practical guidance with colleagues.
By 90 days
Handle routine reviews confidently, demonstrate improvements in team support and follow-through, and identify opportunities and best practice from your LA account.
A typical week
A mix of account manager advice, LA review meetings, follow-up actions, Tutexa support and managing your own account. A regular check-in with the Associate Director will help keep priorities and workload manageable.
Success means account managers feel better supported, commissioner reviews are handled well, provision improves and the Managing Director and Associate Director gain time to focus on their wider responsibilities.
Why join us?
Keep making a difference
Use your education expertise to support a wider team and a broader range of learners.
Influence & variety
Step into a management role with real influence, variety and close access to senior leadership.
Extra earning potential
Performance-related earning opportunities through your own local authority account.
Work-life balance
Early-finish Fridays, reduced hours during school holidays and some flexibility around office working.
Shape the service
Stay connected to the needs of schools and local authorities while helping shape how a growing service delivers support.
Training & induction
Safeguarding induction, Tutexa training and support from experienced colleagues.
The Catchup Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment is subject to satisfactory references, right-to-work checks and safeguarding checks appropriate to the role.