Alternative Education Manager - Quantock Outdoor Education

Salary: Up to £45,000 depending on experience

Location: Taunton

Hours of work: Full Time, Monday to Friday 08:30am to 4:30pm

We’re looking for an experienced and proactive Alternative Education Manager to lead our Quantock Outdoor Education service. In this role, you’ll oversee the delivery of high-quality outdoor education programmes, ensuring the safety, development, and positive outcomes of children and young people.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident leader who is passionate about outdoor learning and making a meaningful difference. You’ll play a key role in shaping the service, supporting staff, and ensuring every young person benefits from a safe, engaging, and enriching experience.

As Alternative Education Manager (Quantock), you will translate the Head of Alternative Education's service direction into clear systems, routines and standards at Quantock. You will be accountable for the safe, effective and high-quality running of the whole Quantock provision, ensuring daily priorities are clear and well managed.

You will report to the Head of Alternative Education, line manage Activity Leaders and provide leadership, support and accountability across the Quantock team. They will hold site-level responsibility for health and safety, safeguarding practice, operational delivery, staff deployment, quality assurance and continual improvement, escalating key risks, themes and development needs where required.

About Us

Empower Family Group’s Quantock Outdoor Education service provides enriching outdoor learning experiences for children and young people, many of whom may face additional challenges or barriers to engagement.

Through structured and therapeutic outdoor activities, we support young people to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and independence. Our programmes combine practical outdoor skills with personal, social, and emotional development.

We are proud to offer a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment, delivered by a dedicated team of skilled professionals who are passionate about helping young people thrive.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Proven experience in a leadership or management role within education, outdoor education, or children’s services

• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and risk management

• Excellent communication and organisational skills

• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team

• Experience working with children and young people, including those with additional needs

• Experience developing and delivering curriculum-based programmes

• Knowledge of EHCP processes and multi-agency working

• Full UK driving licence

• Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain)

Desirable:

• Relevant qualification in Outdoor Education, Teaching, Youth Work, or similar

• Forest School, First Aid, or outdoor activity qualifications

Benefits

Benefits

What You’ll Get

• Free personable mortgage advice
  
• Access to the Blue Light Card (discounts)
  
• Access to a staff discount scheme
  
• Employee Assistance Programme
  
• Health and Wellbeing support via the Wisdom app
  
• Paid training and development opportunities
  
• Be part of an innovative and supportive team
  
• A real opportunity for career progression
  
• A chance to make a meaningful difference