STEPs & High Needs Curriculum Manager

About The Role

Working Hours: 37 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Additional Payment: Casual Car Allowance
Working style: On-Site
Closing date: 11:59pm, 19 November 2026
Interview Method: Face to Face
You must already have a valid right to work in the UK documentation, as we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this role.

As a Curriculum Manager for STEPs and High Needs, you'll be responsible for our high quality study programme for young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.

You'll help the STEPs team deliver ambitious, person-centred learning programmes that enable learners to develop independence, employability and life skills, ensuring positive outcomes, progression and successful transitions into employment, further learning and adulthood. Your work will contribute to Manchester Adult Education Service's commitment to improving life chances, reducing inequalities and supporting residents to participate fully in their communities and the local economy.

In this role you will:

• Lead the planning, development and quality assurance of the STEPs curriculum, Supported Internships and High Needs provision.
• Monitor performance, learner progress, achievement, destinations and quality improvement activities to ensure excellent outcomes for learners.
• Manage curriculum resources, staffing and budgets effectively, ensuring provision delivers high quality and value for money.
• Work with employers, schools, local authorities, families and support agencies to create meaningful progression and employment opportunities for learners.
• Support the development of Supported Internships, work placements and employment-focused pathways that increase learner aspirations and independence.

For queries about the role, please contact the hiring manager, Michaela Salmon, at [email protected] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. This route is for vacancy-related enquiries only and should not be used to submit applications.

Pre-employment Checks

If you are successful, your appointment will be subject to completing the relevant pre-employment checks. These checks will be carried out as part of our recruitment process and may include:

• Qualification verification: Teaching Qualification
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Clearance – This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced DBS check as appropriate. Information provided by you or the DBS will be handled confidentially and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice. We have policies covering the secure handling of DBS information and the recruitment of ex-offenders, which are available on request. - If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years, or 12 months or more in the last 10 years (while aged 18 or over), please refer to GOV.UK guidance on obtaining overseas police checks or Certificates of Good Character.
• Casual Car Documentation- The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.
• Satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks where applicable.

For more information on these checks, please visit checks page.

About the Candidate

We're looking for an experienced and motivated curriculum leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. You will have experience of leading education or training provision, driving quality improvement and managing high-performing teams. You will be committed to inclusion, person-centred practice and developing opportunities that enable learners to achieve greater independence, progress into employment and fulfil their potential.

We'll use the following essential criteria to decide which candidates to invite to assessment. Use your personal statement to provide evidence of how you meet each one, supported by relevant examples:

1. Significant experience of leading and managing education, training or curriculum provision for learners with learning difficulties, disabilities and/or additional support needs.

2. A proven track record of improving quality, learner outcomes and performance through effective curriculum planning, monitoring and quality assurance.

3. Experience of developing effective partnerships and working collaboratively with employers, schools, local authorities, families and other stakeholders to deliver positive outcomes for learners.

For guidance on how to write your personal statement, please visit How to Apply - Manchester City Council.

If you’re invited to assessment, we’ll look at a wider range of the role requirements. For more detail, please see the role profile.

Use of AI

You may use AI to support your application, but all examples must be your own and based on real experience. Applications may be withdrawn if content is misleading or presents someone else's experience as your own. Internal candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Applicants who meet the essential shortlisting criteria and are eligible under the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme will be progressed to the assessment stage.

Support and Adjustments
If you're successful in securing a role, we'll make every effort to provide the support, equipment and reasonable adjustments you need to carry out your duties. Where needed, we'll consider adapting aspects of the role. Find out more about our inclusion and wellbeing.

About Us

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You’ll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services for everyone.

Benefits we offer

• Up to 42 days’ annual leave
• Buy up to two extra weeks’ leave
• Up to 3 days’ volunteering leave
• A 37-hour work week for full-time roles
• We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
• Teachers pension scheme
• Enhanced parental and carers leave
• Employee discounts and perks

Learn more at Careers - Manchester City Council

Our commitment to inclusion

At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that fully reflects the diversity of our local communities. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages and backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from applicants from ethnic minority communities and disabled people, who remain underrepresented in parts of our workforce.

GM Elevate Programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

Accessible Formats:
Use ReciteMe  through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. It has tools such as text-to-speech, language translations, and adjustable text size and colour.

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