Job Description:

We put wellbeing first by giving our teams more time to recharge

Job Title:  Assistant Site Manager
Location:  Hazel Cottage School, Clinkham Wood, St Helens, WA11 7AP
Hours:      37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Salary:      £25,837.50 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | 52 Weeks
Start:        September 2026

About the Role

Practical Skills. Real Responsibility. A Workplace Where Your Work Matters.

If you’re the person who spots what needs doing and gets it sorted, takes pride in a job done properly and enjoys a role where every day brings something different, we’d love to hear from you.

Hazel Cottage School is growing, with our specialist provision developing across two sites, and we’re looking for a practical and dependable Assistant Site Manager to help keep our environments safe, secure and welcoming.

From repairs and decorating to safety checks, contractors and preparing spaces for pupils, you’ll be a visible and valued member of the school community. Your work will directly contribute to creating an environment where children and young people with complex SEND needs, including Autism and pre verbal learners, can feel safe, comfortable and ready to learn.

What you will be doing

• Carry out general maintenance, basic repairs, decorating and caretaking, keeping our school environments safe and well presented
• Support the day to day upkeep of both Hazel Cottage School sites, responding to maintenance needs and changing priorities
• Complete routine Health and Safety, fire safety and site security checks, maintaining accurate records and reporting concerns
• Support planned and reactive maintenance, helping resolve problems quickly and effectively
• Liaise with and support contractors and external visitors, ensuring work is completed safely and with minimal disruption
• Help maintain school grounds, outdoor areas and specialist learning environments
• Monitor tools, equipment and supplies, ensuring they are stored, maintained and used safely
• Support site preparation for school events and activities, working closely with colleagues to keep everything running smoothly

About You

You don’t necessarily need previous school experience. You could come from facilities, property maintenance, estates, caretaking, construction or another practical environment where safety, reliability and getting the job done properly matter.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has practical experience of building maintenance, basic repairs, decorating and general upkeep
• Has a good understanding of Health and Safety and safe working practices
• Is confident working independently and using their initiative to solve everyday problems
• Is organised, reliable and able to prioritise when several things need attention
• Has a positive, flexible and practical approach to work
• Communicates well and enjoys being part of a wider team
• Can remain calm and solution focused when priorities suddenly change
• Understands the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment for children and young people with SEND

Previous experience within a school would be beneficial, but it is not essential.

About Us

Hazel Cottage is a new school meeting the needs of autistic pupils aged 4 – 11 years who may have additional needs.

We are situated in St Helens in the former St Patricks Church. At Hazel Cottage everything we do is centred around the individual needs of each pupil attending our school, with the aim that every learner is able to fulfil their individual potential and thrive.  Alongside a broad, exciting and memorable curriculum, we focus on developing core life skills such as communication and social interaction, sensory processing and emotional regulation. We work towards every pupil being as independent as possible when they move on to the next stage of their education.

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:
  • 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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