Person Specification

At SWRAC, we empower individuals to thrive through practical and relevant educational programs. Our goal is to equip people with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to become resilient, confident, and independent. We aim for them to grow in education, secure employment, or engage in meaningful activities, live healthily, be active and responsible citizens, and ensure their safety.

Location: Dorchester, DT2 9SL

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £36,000 – £38,000 a year

Purpose of the Role

The Deputy Centre Manager plays a key role in supporting the effective day-to-day management of the centre, ensuring high-quality education, learner support, safeguarding and operational compliance. The postholder will also deputise for the Centre Manager during periods of absence, support teaching and learning, lead pastoral interventions for learners and contribute to workforce development through the delivery of staff training, mentoring and quality improvement activities.

The role combines leadership responsibilities with direct involvement in teaching, learner support and staff development, helping to ensure excellent outcomes for learners and a positive, inclusive culture across the centre.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Centre Management

- Deputise for the Centre Manager during periods of absence, ensuring the smooth operation of the centre.
- Support the management of staff, learners and resources to maintain a positive, secure and productive learning environment.
- Assist in monitoring the quality of teaching, learning and assessment across programmes.
- Support achievement of centre performance targets,



learner outcomes and attendance expectations.
- Assist with timetabling, staff deployment and cover arrangements.
- Support implementation of safeguarding, Prevent, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Health and Safety procedures.
- Contribute to quality assurance activities, audits, inspections and self‑assessment processes.
- Work collaboratively with the Centre Manager and IQA team to share best practice and maintain consistency across provision.
- Assist with maintaining learner records, reports and data systems in a timely and accurate manner.
- Participate in management meetings and provide reports when required.
- Support recruitment, enrolment and transition processes for learners.

Pastoral Support and Student Welfare

- Act as a key pastoral lead within the centre.
- Build positive relationships with learners, parents, carers and professionals.
- Support learners who experience barriers to attendance, engagement, wellbeing or behaviour.
- Lead and coordinate individual support plans and targeted interventions.
- Attend and contribute to annual reviews, professional meetings and multi‑agency discussions.
- Promote learner independence, resilience and preparation for adulthood outcomes.
- Support attendance monitoring and implement strategies to improve learner engagement.




- Assist the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy DSL with safeguarding responsibilities where required.

Teaching and Learning

- Provide teaching cover for tutor absence due to sickness, annual leave or vacancies.
- Prepare and deliver engaging learning sessions that meet individual learner needs.
- Deliver embedded English and mathematics within programmes where appropriate.
- Complete learner documentation, reviews, assessments and progress records in a timely manner.
- Monitor learner progress against Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), EHCP outcomes and RARPA targets.
- Support the quality of teaching, learning and assessment to meet internal and external quality standards.
- Work closely with learning support staff and external professionals to promote positive learner outcomes.

Staff Development and Training

- Deliver induction training for new staff.
- Coordinate and facilitate centre‑based staff development activities.
- Mentor tutors and support staff to promote effective practice.
- Support implementation of organisational policies, procedures and quality standards.
- Maintain training records and identify development opportunities within the centre.
- Share best practice relating to SEND, behaviour support, safeguarding and learner engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement

- Develop positive relationships with parents/carers, commissioners and external agencies.
- Represent SWRAC at meetings, reviews and networking events as required.
- Support partnership working with employers, work experience providers and community organisatio

📌 Deputy Centre Manager – Dorchester (Thames Centre)
🏢 SWRAC
📍 Thames Centre