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Learn about the difference you could make by exploring a career within our schools, where every role helps transform young lives. Vacancies We’re always on the lookout for passionate, talented people to join our team. Check out our current vacancies below and see how you can make a difference. We have open positions Good news! We have plenty of varied roles that we are keen to fill. To apply for an educational role at First Steps Together, please click here . For maintenance or cleaning roles, please email recruitment@fstmanagement.uk for an application form. This list was last updated on 9 March 2026 at 11:12 GMT Behaviour Mentors | Stansfield House To start as soon as possible (x6) and April 2026 (x1) JOB DESCRIPTION Careers and University Counsellor | Greater Manchester To start in September 2026 JOB DESCRIPTION Designated Safeguarding Lead | Peak Forest To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION English Teacher | Tameside To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION Head of School | Manchester To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION Learning Support Mentor | Stansfield House To start in April 2026 JOB DESCRIPTION Maths Teacher | The Watkin To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION Science Teacher | The Watkin To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION Skills Teacher | The Watkin Catering To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION Behaviour Mentors | The Watkin To start as soon as possible (x3) JOB DESCRIPTION Cleaner | The Watkin To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION Designated Safeguarding Lead | The Watkin To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION English Teacher | The Watkin To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION Home Tutor (Skills) | Manchester To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION Maintenance Support Officer | North West To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION Primary Teacher | Kershaw Wood Manchester To start as soon as possible JOB DESCRIPTION SEND Intervention Assistant To start in April 2026 JOB DESCRIPTION

The home of First Steps Together, offering specialist education for children and young people with additional needs across the North West. Changing young lives together At First Steps Together, we are committed to ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of our young people and staff. LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFEGUARDING Our latest news story 6 Mar 2026 Podcast on EHC plans aims to ease stress for parents EHC PLANS EXPLAINED CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EHC PLANS Our recruitment team are working to hard to hire the best staff for our students. Click here to learn about the latest opportunities. Bring your difference

Review transcripts of our podcasts, as we shine a light on specialist education and more. Podcast transcripts Each episode has been transcribed for accessibility. Please access below. EPISODE 1 EPISODE 2

Explore the latest First Steps Together news with key updates, achievements and more. Our news 6 Mar 2026 Podcast on EHC plans aims to ease stress for parents The latest episode of Footsteps sets out to ease “nightmares and confusion” many families face when navigating Education, Health and Care plans. Read more 5 Mar 2026 Colour and costumes fill classrooms on World Book Day World Book Day brought a wave of imagination across our schools with students embracing stories, characters and creativity. Read more 26 Feb 2026 First Steps Together debunk EHC Plans with new FAQs page First Steps Together has launched an easy‑to‑read frequently asked questions guide to help families understand the often stressful world of EHC Plans. Read more 20 Feb 2026 Wave of fresh recruits thrive during half‑term training Despite learners being off for a week, our teaching staff have made the most of the half‑term, with many of our new recruits undertaking valuable training. Read more 13 Feb 2026 Peak Forest's Isaac wins first attendance award of 2026 Isaac from Peak Forest has won this half-term’s attendance award, securing an iPad for maintaining 100% attendance since the start of 2026. Read more 12 Feb 2026 Experienced Andrea Lloyd joins as Chair of Governors Local community champion Andrea Lloyd has joined First Steps Together to support as Chair of Governors and oversee the board. Read more 9 Feb 2026 The Watkin to host next recruitment Open Day On 28 February, we are again opening our doors to highlight our vacancies with this latest event being held near Wythenshawe Hospital. Read more 6 Feb 2026 First step into podcasting with Footsteps launch We're thrilled to launch a new monthly podcast Footsteps, offering listeners an inside look at our specialist work for young people. Read more 2 Feb 2026 Inclusive Attendance launches across our schools We are delighted to share that Stage 1 of the Inclusive Attendance Programme has now launched across all of our six schools across the North West. Read more 28 Jan 2026 Mental Health Leads introduced across our schools To strengthen wellbeing across our schools, we have introduced Mental Health Leads offering support for staff and students. Read more 26 Jan 2026 Recruitment open day to offer face-to-face interviews Amid a new month, we are opening our office doors in Denton to highlight what could be your new role working in specialist education. Read more 21 Jan 2026 First Steps Together to start specialist education podcast We are excited to launch a new specialist education podcast in early February, sharing the people, experiences and stories that shape our schools. Read more 20 Jan 2026 Attendance prizes announced for Spring Term The exciting prizes for the next two half‑term attendance draws have been confirmed by our Senior Head of School Ms Cooper. Read more 19 Jan 2026 Parents' Evening reminder issued ahead of next week Our executive team are reminding parents of Parents' Evening which is taking place across our school sites throughout next week. Read more 16 Jan 2026 SEND Coffee Mornings to resume 27 January We're excited to invite parents and carers to our new series of SEND Coffee Mornings taking place across several of our settings over the coming weeks. Read more 8 Jan 2026 Student letters inspire new outdoor area at Tame Bank Crafted letters from our enthusiastic students to the Head of School at Tame Bank has led to the creation of a brand‑new outdoor area. Read more 6 Jan 2026 Schools welcome back students after Christmas Across the North West, students have returned to our six schools after Christmas with our expert staff on hand to support amid a new routine. Read more

Learn about EHC plans and how we work with local authorities, parents and education professionals to best support your child. EHC Plans Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans are central to every learner’s experience in specialist education. As a legal document written and issued by the local authority, an EHC plan sets out a student’s individual needs and the additional support required to meet them. This page is designed to answer common questions and explain key processes. Although we work closely with families and the local authority to help shape each plan, it is not fully within our control. Click on one of the below frequently asked questions to find its answer. What is an EHC Plan? Who can ask for an EHC Plan assessment? How do I apply? What evidence should I send? How long does the application take? What happens during the assessment? What support could be provided? Who writes the EHC Plan? What is in an EHC Plan? What is a personal budget? What are my legal rights? Can a school refuse to request one? Can I appeal if it's refused by the local authority? How often is the EHC Plan reviewed? What should I do if support is not being delivered? In early 2026, our Group Strategic Lead Natalie Ogden and SEND Coordinator Claire Berry spoke on our podcast Footsteps answering many of the questions above. Click here to listen , searching 'EHC plans' in the podcast collection if it does not immediately display due to newer episodes. If you would like to ask a question that is not covered on this list, please send a message via our Advice page by clicking here . WHAT IS AN EHC PLAN? An Education, Health and Care Plan is a legal support plan for children and young people, aged 0-25, who need more help than their school or college can usually provide because of, what are officially called, special educational needs or disabilities, known as 'SEND'. EHC Plans are often referred to as an Education, Health and Care Plan or EHCP. An EHC Plan clearly sets out: Your child’s needs The support they must receive The outcomes (goals) they’re working towards The support written in an EHC Plan is legally enforceable, it must be provided. WHO CAN ASK FOR AN EHC PLAN ASSESSMENT? Parents or carers are able to apply for an EHC Plan. Others who can ask include: A school or nursery A young person 16-25 A health professional (e.g. a doctor) You don't need the school's permission to apply. HOW DO I APPLY? You simply write (via email is fine) to your Local Authority SEND Team asking for an: Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment Include: Your child's name and date of birth Their school Why you feel they need extra support Any reports you already have You don't need a diagnosis to apply. WHAT EVIDENCE SHOULD I SEND? Send anything that shows your child needs more support, such as: Specialist support plans from school School reports or behaviour logs Letters from a paediatrician or GP Speech and language therapy reports Occupational therapy reports Educational psychologist reports Your own views (very important!) Sometimes email providers have limits on attachments. Make sure to check the link is accessible if sharing via a cloud-based service (e.g. Dropbox or One Drive). HOW LONG DOES THE APPLICATION TAKE? The whole process should take no longer than 20 weeks from your request to the final EHC Plan. Below are the main steps: The Local Authority decides whether to assess (within 6 weeks) Professionals give advice Draft EHC Plan is shared with you Final EHC Plan issued WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE ASSESSMENT? The Local Authority collects information from: You (parent/carer) Your child The school Educational psychologist Health professionals Social care (if needed) They look at: Learning Communication Social and emotional needs Physical or sensory needs WHAT SUPPORT COULD BE PROVIDED? Depending on your child’s needs, this might include: 1:1 teaching assistant support Specialist teaching Speech and language therapy Occupational therapy Physiotherapy Specialist equipment Help with social care A specialist school placement WHO WRITES THE EHC PLAN? A case worker at your Local Authority writes the EHC Plan using all the advice from professionals involved in your child’s assessment. They will also use information from parents. WHAT IS IN AN EHC PLAN? Below details how an EHC Plan is structured. A Your child’s views, interests and aspirations B Special educational needs C Health needs D Social care needs E Outcomes (goals) F Educational support (must be delivered by law) G Health support H Social care support I School or college placement J Personal budget (if agreed) K Professional reports used WHAT IS A PERSONAL BUDGET? A personal budget is money from the EHC Plan funding that allows you to arrange some support yourself (like therapy or specialist services). WHAT ARE MY LEGAL RIGHTS? Under the Children and Families Act 2014: The Local Authority must make sure the educational support in the EHCP is delivered Health services must provide the health support listed If the support in Section F (Education) isn’t provided, this is unlawful. CAN A SCHOOL REFUSE TO REQUEST ONE? Yes, but this doesn't stop you applying yourself directly to the Local Authority. CAN I APPEAL IF IT'S REFUSED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY? Yes. You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) You can appeal if the Local Authority: Refuses to assess Refuses to issue an EHCP Names the wrong school Doesn’t provide enough support HOW OFTEN IS THE EHC PLAN REVIEWED? This depends on the child's age. Normally, at least once a year For children under five, every six months The reviews check progress and update support if needed. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF SUPPORT IS NOT BEING DELIVERED? 1. Speak to the school’s SEND Coordinator 2. Contact your Local Authority SEND team If it’s still not happening, you can make a formal complaint. EHC Plan support is a legal duty. Click here to return to the top of the page.

The home of First Steps Together, offering specialist education for children and young people with additional needs across the North West. Changing young lives together At First Steps Together, we are committed to ensuring the safety, health, and wellbeing of our young people and staff. LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFEGUARDING Our latest news story 6 Mar 2026 Podcast on EHC plans aims to ease stress for parents Our recruitment team are working to hard to hire the best staff for our students. Click here to learn about the latest opportunities. Bring your difference

< All news Experienced Andrea Lloyd joins as Chair of Governors 12 Feb 2026 Local community champion Andrea Lloyd has joined First Steps Together to support as Chair of Governors and oversee the board. Autistic and living with ADHD, Andrea is a parent of a neurodivergent child with an EHCP. She has extensive experience navigating the specialist education system, including multi‑agency reviews, appeals, and securing appropriate provision. She is the founder of Denton Autism ADHD Family Support (DAAFS), a community organisation that supports neurodivergent families through a whole‑family approach, ensuring parents and carers receive guidance and connection alongside their children. Andrea also serves as Chair of Tameside Umbrella Parent Carer Forum, where she gathers and presents the experiences of parents and carers to the Local Authority, the NHS Integrated Care Board and the Department for Education. This work ensures that family perspectives inform service planning and policy development. Andrea says: “When First Steps Together approached me about taking on this role, it was clear that they genuinely want to be the best they can be for young people and families. That matters to me.” “I want to support that vision by being a strong, confident Chair, someone who is not afraid to challenge when needed, but who is always focused on finding solutions and building positive, lasting change.” Chief Executive Officer Matthew Higham said of Andrea’s appointment: “We’re delighted to welcome Andrea as our new Chair of Governors.” He continued: “Andrea brings valuable lived experience and extensive expertise in specialist education, and her leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our collaboration with school teams to ensure every student receives exceptional support, care and opportunity.” Previous Next

< All news Podcast on EHC plans aims to ease stress for parents 6 Mar 2026 The latest episode of Footsteps sets out to ease “nightmares and confusion” many families face when navigating Education, Health and Care plans. Combined with our brand‑new frequently asked questions page, the episode brings together expert advice on the legally binding document in an accessible, easy‑to‑understand format. Host and Communications Officer Nick Ransom is joined by SEND Coordinator Claire Berry and Group Strategic Lead Natalie Ogden. The pair unpack the EHC plan process from the very start, offering clarity, reassurance and practical guidance drawn from years of professional and lived experience. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and our website , the episode also features comments from students, helping bring the impact of needs and provision to life. These shine a light on real examples of social and sensory needs that EHC plans aim to capture and support. One student describes struggling to form friendships and “trying to fit in where I can”, while another talks about preferring the quiet of the school’s orange room at lunchtime. The episode also reflects on the current uncertainty regarding specialist education after a white paper , a document outlining future proposals, was published by the Government. Natalie comments: "There's a lot of money being put into it and I totally agree that our young people deserve every bit of this funding and it's been a long time coming." She encouraged parents to "hang tight" and to "see what comes of it." "There's a long road ahead when it comes to the white paper and [specialist] provisions," she concluded. Claire and Natalie also acknowledged the long delays many families face and the often emotional toll of the process to assess, appeal and reach a sense of closure. However, Natalie, who went through the process for her own daughter, says that local authorities are under significant strain. She added: “I think they're doing the best that they can do with what they've been given”. Also in the episode, parent Rebecca talks of her past experience fighting for a needs assessment, saying: "All they've gone off is pieces of paper, but you can still get a refusal. How can you refuse something when you've never met the person?” Communications Officer Nick recognises it is "striking" but clarifies that the local authority might say decisions are made on the strength of evidence, inferring they cannot afford to be emotional or situational in their decision‑making. The episode ends with contributions from the newly appointed Chair of Governors, Andrea Lloyd, who has become a familiar name in the local Denton community. Drawing on her own journey as a parent and advocate, she encourages families to speak up during this period of national consultation, saying that now is the moment for parents and carers to ensure their voices are heard. Parents can contribute their views on specialist education provision by visiting the Government website and clicking here . This episode of Footsteps also confirms that an Easter episode will feature more of Andrea Lloyd, discussing changes to routine and sharing more about her autistic diagnosis. Footsteps is also available as a transcript should you wish to read the episode. Previous Next

< All news Inclusive Attendance launches across our schools 2 Feb 2026 We are delighted to share that Stage 1 of the Inclusive Attendance Programme has now launched across all of our six schools across the North West. This marks a major step forward in our commitment to creating attendance cultures that are sustainable, inclusive and consistently centred around the needs of children and young people who think, behave and learn differently. Embedding the Inclusive Attendance Programme means establishing a truly system led approach across the federation. It encourages collective responsibility, strengthens best practice and ensures that attendance becomes a meaningful driver for long term success. By working in partnership with Inclusive Attendance, we have begun accredited staff learning, deep dive practice reviews and the development of a five year strategy that places inclusivity, belonging and success for every learner at the heart of what we do. This work also ensures that our approach aligns closely with the Ofsted Framework and the Department for Education’s statutory expectations regarding attendance. More importantly, it strengthens our culture of care, consistency and ambition. The programme will support us to reduce persistent absence, improve overall attendance and build a quality assurance model that helps each school grow year on year through self evaluation, shared insight and collaboration. Senior Head of School Caron Cooper, captured the purpose behind this work clearly when she said, “We did this because attendance is so important for children. The passion is that we want to get these children back into school because they have not been in school. By having attendance incentives and committing to this, because we are all about inclusivity, that is why we are doing it.” Inclusive Attendance described today as the beginning of “a shared vision”, acknowledging our commitment to leading the way in sustainable attendance improvement. This launch represents an important milestone for all of us at First Steps Together. It strengthens our ability to support children and young people every day, ensures we are working to the highest standards and brings us closer to achieving Bronze Mark Accreditation across all of our schools. Most importantly, it reinforces our belief that every child deserves a school environment where they feel supported to attend, welcomed when they arrive and empowered to succeed. Previous Next

< All news Student letters inspire new outdoor area at Tame Bank 8 Jan 2026 Crafted letters from our enthusiastic students to the Head of School at Tame Bank has led to the creation of a brand‑new outdoor area. The area, named the "Fantastic Outdoor Area", is now officially open and already proving popular with learners and staff. Mr Smith, Head of School, said, “It will help the students around their learning as an extra incentive to get outside more. The more spacious area will also be great for team building activities.” The space has been designed as a multi‑use area, with goal nets and a football bringing the beautiful game to Tame Bank. Staff expect it to be used for outdoor learning, sports, teamwork sessions and social time throughout the school day. Student Voice feedback and the letters sent directly to Mr Smith highlighted how important an improved outdoor area was to the young people at Tame Bank. Their input played a key role in shaping the project and ensuring the space meets their needs. The school is looking forward to seeing the pitch used across lessons and enrichment activities as part of its commitment to providing a supportive, engaging environment for all students. Previous Next

< All news The Watkin to host next recruitment Open Day 9 Feb 2026 On 28 February, we are again opening our doors to highlight our vacancies with this latest event being held near Wythenshawe Hospital. As February comes to a close, The Watkin will host the event between 10am and 3pm. Recently renovated, the building opened its doors in September after The Watkin moved from Northenden to its new home in Wythenshawe. The event is open to anyone interested in a career in specialist education and keen to explore the wide range of opportunities across the organisation. With numerous roles available, the recruitment and management teams will be on hand to explain the significant impact each position has on developing young people’s confidence. Visitors will meet staff, learn about the roles available across First Steps Together’s schools and gain insight into the organisation’s commitment to supporting young people with additional needs. Emma Burgess, Head of People Services, said: "After a huge success at our last recruitment day in Denton last month, we're excited to again provide a warm, welcoming environment to learn more about our vacancies." She continued: "Our Recruitment Open Day is a great opportunity to discover the meaningful work we’re proud of, connect with the people behind it and explore the difference you could make. If helping young people thrive inspires you, you won’t want to miss this." Those ready to progress will have the opportunity to take part in on-the-day interviews, helping to remove barriers and make the process as accessible as possible for anyone beginning, or continuing, a career in the sector. Prospective applicants are asked to complete a short application form in advance by emailing recruitment@fstmanagement.uk , enabling the recruitment team to prepare for the day and ensuring a smooth experience for all visitors. As part of our Safer Recruitment commitment, we ask attendees to bring a form of ID to help safeguard and protect young people. Car parking is available directly outside the building. Previous Next

< All news Peak Forest's Isaac wins first attendance award of 2026 13 Feb 2026 Isaac from Peak Forest has won this half-term’s attendance award, securing an iPad for maintaining 100% attendance since the start of 2026. Opting for a blue iPad, Isaac collected his winning prize in a matching jumper on Friday morning, with Designated Safeguarding Lead Carrie Finn handing over the prize. Isaac told the website he was "happy and excited" to clinch the award, with the tablet overseen by staff until the end of the school day. Our schools don’t just celebrate perfect attendance, we also recognise learners who make significant improvements. This year, rewards for improving attendance have included theme park vouchers, helping motivate and encourage students who are working hard to overcome barriers. So far this year for 100% attendance, we’ve offered prizes such as a game console and virtual reality headset, recognising the outstanding commitment throughout the term. In light of a new partnership with Inclusive Attendance, Matthew Higham, Chief Executive Officer, recently told our Footsteps parent podcast : "Attendance will always be one of our biggest priorities, but also there's a number of factors that contribute towards that and whilst the data informs us what the attendance is, it goes a lot deeper than that." As for low attendance, he added that it is the role of First Steps Together staff, as professionals, “to break that down” and identify what support can be put in place for each individual pupil. Group Strategic Lead Natalie Ogden expressed her understanding of the pressures families face. She said: "A hell of a lot of parents and carers, they do feel the pressure because we do have students that wake up in the morning and there’s good days and there's bad days. It's about us working alongside them." Natalie reflected: "At First Steps Together, one thing I'm most proud of is our pastoral support that we give to parents and carers." The organisation also continues to educate families on the importance of internet safety, with a dedicated page currently being developed for the website. Speaking to Footsteps, Head of Business Nick Ledger noted that “often parents are not as tech‑savvy as the children,” advising families to “cast an eye once in a while” to ensure the content being accessed is appropriate. Any parents with concerns or questions about attendance can get in touch via our contact us page. Previous Next