Are you a dynamic, transformational leader with credible experience in delivering integrated, holistic care of highly vulnerable young people?
Oasis Charitable Trust is a ground-breaking group of charities that have been pioneering models of sustainable and holistic education and community development over the last 35 years.
We are now seeking a transformational leader as the Principal Director of Oasis Restore – the UK’s first secure school. This is a career-defining opportunity to lead the development and delivery of our bespoke integrated care and education for young people in custody.
Oasis Restore will offer a reparative opportunity to children and young people, who have become criminally involved, often as a result of high levels of trauma, vulnerability and threat. Our vision is focused on restoration, rather than retribution, on creating a safe environment with a holistic approach to life where every child is given opportunities equal to those offered their peers; ones that enable young people to make different choices and lead positive, productive lives.
Using a psychologically informed approach that integrates theories on attachment, trauma and human development we will offer:
• A holistic, integrated, safe environment
• A therapeutic model of care with a growth mind-set
• An ambitious and enquiry-based education offer
• Pathways for transition into community from day one
We are seeking someone with a proven track record of senior leadership to improve outcomes and life chances for young people. The new Principal Director must be someone with executive-level leadership experience who is values-led. They will have a deep understanding of how to lead person-centred care in the context of statutory frameworks and build the relationships to achieve it.
The incoming Principal Director will be adaptive to the leadership styles of their team to inspire them to be their best. They will be ego-aware and understand the pivotal role that character plays in transformational leadership.
The Principal Director will champion the Oasis ethos and be a known advocate for children who are often without a voice, ensuring that others play their roles to deliver the high-quality education, care and support that meets pupils’ needs.
The successful candidate will:
• Be responsible for developing and delivering the UK’s first secure school – Oasis Restore, a therapeutic approach to education and care. You will recruit and manage a leadership team
of experts across education, care, therapeutic interventions and health who will deliver this bespoke model of school for young people in custody.
• Have credible experience of executive leadership in a multi-disciplinary organisation or service focused on the care of highly vulnerable children and young people – be that education,
social or health care, youth justice, local government, or the voluntary sector.
• Have a minimum of five years’ experience of transformative leadership – leading complex systems, thinking laterally and strategically in order to innovate and drive change for the
improved care of children and young people.
• Be a champion of divergent thinking and creative and innovative practice balanced with commitment to providing psychologically informed, developmentally appropriate models of care and
education for children.
• Demonstrate commitment to values-led leadership and proven track record of transformation of systems of care or education.
Working with Peer Power, Oasis asked young people about their vision for what a secure school could be. Their response was: “Operate in love, operate in trust, and listen to the young people.” We are looking for leadership who will respect, value and listen to the young people they serve.
Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours, which flow from the Oasis ethos. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate employment checks, including enhanced DBS checks. This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and should have the ability to speak fluent English for this role.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Oasis Restore on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference GALAQA. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Monday, 2 November 2020.