NESTA Centre Manager

Role Purpose 

The NESTA Centre Manager is responsible for the overall leadership of the curriculum, management and operational running of the centre.

This role ensures the creation of a safe, supportive and structured environment that promotes the wellbeing, safeguarding and educational progress of vulnerable learners, including those with SEND. A key focus of the role is to maintain the highest standards of health & safety compliance and safeguarding practice, whilst leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver effective pastoral and educational support tailored to the needs of each young person.

The Centre Manager acts as a pivotal link between learners, staff, parents and external agencies to foster a positive, inclusive and compliant provision.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management
• Provide day-to day strategic oversight and leadership of the centre, promoting a culture of high expectations, respect and safety.
• Line manages teaching and support staff, offering regular supervision, guidance and professional development opportunities. Curriculum Design is led by the Centre Manager in collaboration with subject tutors to ensure consistency, quality & relevance to both learner and industry needs.
• Ensure compliance and consistency with statutory guidance, school polices and quality standards including Ofsted and local authority expectations.
• Lead staff in developing effective behaviour support strategies and individual learningplans tailored to each learners needs.
• Liaise with employers and accreditation bodies to keep the curriculum up to date and forward-facing, responding to local and national industry needs.

Health & Safety
• Act as the Health and Safety lead for the centre, ensuring that all staff and learners operate within a safe and well-maintained environment
• Conduct and review risk assessments regularly for the premises, individual learners (where applicable) offsite activities and curriculum-based activities.
• Ensure fire safety procedures, evacuation plans, and first aid provision are in place, practiced and up to date.
• Work with site management and external contractors to maintain building safety, cleanliness and security.
• Promote staff and pupil wellbeing through safe working practices, training and awareness of mental health and emotional resilience.

Safeguarding & Welfare
• Serve as the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or work closely with the DSL team to ensure the highest standards of child protection.
• Establish strong partnerships with families, carers, local authority teams and outside agencies to support student welfare and safeguarding plans.
• Ensure all staff are trained in safeguarding, health and safety and behaviour management procedures.

Administrative & Financial Duties
• Maintain accurate and secure records of student information, incidents, health and safety audits and safeguarding reports.
• Manage the centre’s budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources and compliance with financial regulations.
• Report regularly to senior leadership and governors on centre performance, including safety and compliance indicators.

Skills & Abilities 

• Strong leadership – ability to inspire, motivate and manage multidisciplinary team to achieve high standards in a challenging environment
• Excellent Communication – Clear and confident communicator, able to engage effectively with learners, staff, parents, external agencies and senior leadership.
• Problem solving – Skilled in identifying risks and issues proactively and implementing effective solutions under pressure.
• Attention to detail – Meticulous in maintaining compliance with health and safety and safeguarding regulations, ensuring all documentation is accurate and up to date.
• Emotional intelligence – empathy and understanding to support vulnerable learners and manage sensitive safeguarding situations appropriately.
• Organisational skills – capable of managing multiple priorities efficiently, maintaining order in complex and dynamic settings.
• Resilience and adaptability – comfortable working in a fast paced often unpredictable environment, demonstrating calm and professional decision making.
• Technical competence – confident in using IT systems for record keeping reporting and communication.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential
• Proven leadership experience in an alternative provision, special school or behaviour focused setting.
• Strong understanding of health and safety regulations in educational environments e.g. COSHH, fire safety, risk assessment.
• In depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation and responsibilities.
• Experience working with learners with SEMH and SEND needs.
• Excellent communication, organisational and decision-making skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and lead by example in challenging situations.
• UpToDate First aid, DSL and health and safety training, or willingness to undertake it.

Desirable
• NEBOSH, IOSH or other formal health and Safety qualifications.
• Experience with building management, site safety inspections or leading emergency response drills.
• Trauma-informed or restorative practice training.
• Understanding of the Alternative provision inspection framework and local authority requirements.

Behaviours & Attitudes

• Empathy: Foster a supportive environment that encourages understanding and compassion among learners and staff.
• Integrity: Uphold honesty and strong moral principles in all interactions and decisions.
• Resilience: Encourage learners to develop coping strategies and the ability to bounce back from challenges.
• Trust: Build a culture of trust where learners feel safe to express themselves and take risks in their learning.
• Authenticity: Encourage learners to be true to themselves and embrace their individuality.
• Commitment: Instil a sense of dedication to personal growth and the learning process.
• Honesty: Promote transparency and truthfulness in all communications and assessments.
• Enjoyment: Create a joyful learning environment where learners find pleasure in their educational experiences.
• Learning: Encourage a lifelong love of learning and curiosity about the world.
• Respect: Cultivate an atmosphere of mutual respect among learners, staff, and the wider community.