ASDAN Lead
Chard
New Jobs
Permanent
Up to £30,000 a year
- Lead the ASDAN provision, creating personalised learning pathways that cater to students' strengths and aspirations while ensuring a focus on life skills.
- Ideal candidates should have experience in educational leadership, excellent communication skills, and a passion for fostering student independence.
- The role is permanent, working 40 hours per week during term time only, based in Chard, offering a salary up to £30,000 annually.
At OFG we believe in creating a better work life balance
Job Title: ASDAN Lead
Location: 3 Dimensions School, Chard, Somerset, TA20 3AJ
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday – Friday | 8.30am - 4.30pm
Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: October 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
At 3 Dimensions School, we believe education should prepare young people not only for qualifications, but for life beyond school.
We’re looking for an experienced, creative and enthusiastic ASDAN Lead to take ownership of our ASDAN provision across the school and help develop meaningful learning pathways that reflect each student’s individual strengths, interests and aspirations.
This is an exciting opportunity to combine curriculum leadership with hands-on teaching, shaping engaging programmes that develop independence, employability, communication, confidence and essential life skills.
You’ll lead the planning, coordination and quality assurance of ASDAN programmes, while working alongside teachers, therapists and senior leaders to ensure accreditation complements each student’s EHCP outcomes and Preparation for Adulthood goals.
Most importantly, you’ll help ensure our students leave school with more than certificates. You’ll help them develop the skills, confidence and resilience they need for their next stage of life.
What will you be doing
As our ASDAN Lead, you’ll:
- Lead and develop ASDAN provision across the school, creating clear and personalised accreditation pathways that meet individual student needs and aspirations.
- Plan and deliver engaging ASDAN lessons, projects and practical learning experiences, adapting your approach for students with a range of SEND and neurodiverse needs.
- Create meaningful opportunities to develop independence, employability, communication, community participation, problem-solving and life skills.
- Act as the school’s ASDAN Coordinator, overseeing assessment, internal verification, moderation, registrations, certification and compliance with awarding body requirements.
- Monitor student progress and achievement, ensuring portfolios and evidence consistently meet ASDAN quality standards.
- Coach and support teachers and tutors delivering ASDAN, developing resources, schemes of work and assessment materials and promoting consistent best practice.
- Work alongside curriculum leaders, therapists and other professionals to ensure ASDAN pathways support EHCP and Preparation for Adulthood outcomes.
- Develop opportunities for real-world learning, building links with employers, community organisations and other partners to help students prepare for their future.
What you will bring
We’re looking for someone who understands that successful learning doesn’t always happen behind a desk.
You’ll bring creativity, organisation and a strong understanding of how vocational and practical education can unlock potential for young people with SEND.
You’ll need:
- GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.
- A relevant education, vocational or youth work qualification.
- Experience delivering ASDAN programmes or similar accredited vocational qualifications.
- Experience working with children or young people with SEND.
- Experience delivering or facilitating accredited learning and assessing student achievement.
- Experience developing personalised learning pathways.
- Knowledge of ASDAN programmes, accreditation pathways and quality assurance requirements.
- An understanding of EHCP outcomes and Preparation for Adulthood.
- An understanding of autism, ADHD, SEMH and neurodiverse learning needs.
- Strong organisational, leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire both students and colleagues.
It would be advantageous if you also have:
- A teaching qualification such as PGCE, QTS, Cert Ed or equivalent.
- Previous experience as an ASDAN Coordinator or Internal Verifier.
- Experience within a specialist SEND school.
- Experience of vocational or work-related learning.
- Knowledge of AQA Unit Awards, Functional Skills or other accreditation pathways.
- Experience contributing to curriculum development or wider school improvement.
About Us
3 Dimensions School is a specialist independent school for children and young people aged 7-25 with a range of complex learning, communication, social, emotional and mental health needs. Part of Outcomes First Group, we provide a nurturing, inclusive and highly personalised education that enables every learner to thrive.
Operating across two purposefully designed sites, our primary provision at Chardleigh and secondary/post-16 provision at Hummingbird allow us to offer tailored learning environments that meet students' needs at every stage of their educational journey.
We support learners with a range of profiles, including Autism, ADHD, speech, language and communication needs, SEMH, PDA, attachment difficulties and the impact of trauma. Through our trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming approach, we help young people build confidence, resilience, independence and the skills they need for successful futures.
3 Dimensions School has a strong reputation for achieving positive outcomes for students, combining high expectations with individualised support to help young people succeed both academically and personally. Our broad curriculum, therapeutic approaches, vocational pathways and preparation for adulthood programmes ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We are proud to be a school where relationships come first, strengths are recognised and celebrated, and every young person is supported to achieve their own version of success."
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
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- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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Chard
New Jobs
Permanent
Up to £30,000 a year