Preparing for Adulthood Advisor

St Martins Special School is seeking a proactive and dedicated Preparation for Adulthood Advisor to join our team in Shaping Successful Futures. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people with special educational needs as they prepare for the next stage of their journeys beyond school.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting students at crucial transition points, particularly Year 11 and Year 13 leavers, ensuring that every young person has the guidance, opportunities, and support they need to move confidently into further education, training, or employment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and coordinating transition planning for students moving on from St Martins.
• Supporting parents and carers to navigate post-16 pathways.
• Supporting the Year 9 options process and attending relevant parents’ evenings, annual reviews, transition events and higher education sessions
• Work closely with the Local Authority, colleges, and training providers to ensure smooth transitions.
• Keeping up-to-date with local post-16 provisions and opportunities, especially for young people at risk of becoming NEET.
• Acting as the school’s Careers Leader, developing and delivering our Futures Curriculum.
• Organising and leading visits and experiences that build life skills, employability, and career awareness.
• Working collaboratively across all school sites.

About you:

We’re looking for someone with initiative, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping young people achieve their potential. You’ll need to be confident supporting a wide range of Special Educational Needs, as well as working with a variety of stakeholders and committed to promoting independence, aspiration, and successful outcomes for our students. Applicants must also have a full UK driving license so they can travel between school sites and take students to visit potential provisions.

If you’re enthusiastic about supporting young people with special educational needs to prepare for adulthood and thrive beyond school, we’d love to hear from you.

The core hours of work for this post are: Monday and Thursday – 8:15am-4:00pm, Tuesday and Wednesday – 8:15am-4:45pm, Friday – 8:15am-2:45pm.

We encourage visits to the school prior to application. To arrange a visit, or if you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Victoria Theobald – (contact details can be found on advert attachment). We look forward to meeting you.

St Martins School and Horizons 6th Form is an 11-19 Special School in Derby, with a mixed student profile of children and young people with a range of learning difficulties and additional complex needs. St Martins shares a site with Noel-Baker Academy in Alvaston, whilst Horizons 6th Form is based at Friar Gate Studios in Derby city centre. We received our fourth consecutive 'Outstanding' OFSTED in October 2024 and we continue to aspire to the highest standards for students and our staff teams.

Join Shaw Education Trust – Support, Teach, Lead… Make the Remarkable Happen.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role holds the power to transform a life. Whether you're supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you’ll be part of something extraordinary.

We are a dynamic and growing family of Primary, Secondary, and Special Schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our mission is to unlock opportunity for every young person—whatever their background, ability, or starting point.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their growth. Through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent acceleration, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals and we champion wellbeing, value every voice, and create a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and professional community fuel success. Every academy in our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital part in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

At the heart of our work is a deep respect for the children and young adults we serve—our “precious cargo.” We are proud to "exactly like nothing else” and bridge the gap between education and the wider world, preparing every student for further education, employment, or training in inclusive environments where integrity, equality, and opportunity thrive.

If you have the heart, passion, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our incredible team.

Support. Teach. Lead. Belong. Thrive.

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.

Our Special Schools are dedicated to supporting children and young people with a broad spectrum of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

From those with profound medical conditions and life-limiting illnesses, to individuals with severe, moderate, or sensory needs, and those experiencing social, emotional, or mental health challenges, our settings are designed to provide the care, understanding, and expertise each young person needs to thrive.

Whether you're a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional, or part of our facilities, administration, or operations teams, you will find a welcoming, family-like environment where every role is valued.

At the heart of each school is a shared commitment to putting children, young people, and their families first.

Working in our Special Schools is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of a compassionate team that empowers children and young people to live their best life and build a bright future.

The difference you make will be life-changing, not only for them but for their families too.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one. 

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute. 

• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.
• Salary: Grade 7 SCP 24-28, Full Time Equivalent Salary – £30,024-£33,700
• Actual Salary: Actual Salary - £26,170-£29,374
• Working hours: 37 hours per week, 38 term time weeks + 5 INSET Days (39 weeks total)

Salary: Grade 7 SCP 24-28, Full Time Equivalent Salary – £30,024-£33,700

Actual Salary: Actual Salary - £26,170-£29,374

Working hours: 37 hours per week, 38 term time weeks + 5 INSET Days (39 weeks total)