Laura Macmillan
Manchester,Manchester
Summary
Experienced education support professional with extensive expertise in student services across higher and further education sectors. A trained Designated Safeguarding Lead with comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding practices, policies, procedures, and Prevent, as well as handling complex casework. Skilled in developing policies and strategies, interpreting regulations for the higher education sector, and leading compliance procedures such as the Office for Students E6 Conditions. Demonstrates strong leadership in support services through effective communication and engagement with specialist practitioners to foster student success by removing barriers. Proficient in MS 365, EBS, and management information systems, with a solid understanding of data protection regulations relevant to counselling services.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
15
15
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services
University Campus Oldham
2022.04 - 2025.11
- I currently manage a number of support teams across University Campus Oldham and ensure that services are fit for purpose and comply with all policies, procedures, working practices and regulations. I currently manage Disability and Wellbeing Services, Library and LRC, Career Services and Graduate Outcomes, Academic Development and GM Higher outreach. I am Safeguarding Lead for the HE campus, handling safeguarding cases and working on wider policy and strategy. I manage budgets, chair meetings, oversee daily and overall performance and drive strategic targets for wider campus support services. I also manage student counselling services, ensuring counsellors have effective supervision in place and practice complies with ethical frameworks.
Disability Officer
University Campus Oldham
2018.12 - 2022.04
- Delivered and coordinated day to day delivery of support for disabled students at University Campus Oldham. Worked closely with a range of internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure that support across Disability and Wellbeing Services was delivered effectively in line with internal reasonable adjustments and support through Disabled Students Allowance. I developed Personal Learning Plans for both academic and placement settings, along with liasing with external support agencies to ensure DSA support was delivered in line with student need.
Reading Support Facilitator
Oldham College
2016.09 - 2018.12
- Devised and delivered Reading for Personal Development Programme for students studying on Entry Level and Level 1 courses within Skills and Employability faculty of Oldham College. Delivered these lessons to a host of different classes with varying abilities.
Tutor Cover Support
Oldham College
2016.02 - 2016.07
- Responsibilities included developing and delivering lessons in Reading for Personal Development. Devised schemes of work as well as planned a variety of lessons for a range of different abilities.
Senior SEN Caseworker
Bury MBC
2015.01 - 2016.02
- Responsibilities as Senior SEN Caseworker included liaising with senior professionals and updating systems to reflect changes in cases. Responsible for writing original EHC plans as well as transferring EHC plans from statements and organising and running person centre reviews. Trained staff in a range of educational settings on delivery of person centred reviews and models of good person centred support.
Student Mentor and Safeguarding Officer
Oldham College
2009.10 - 2014.12
- Within this role I was in charge of delivering all pastoral care and support across Creative Arts faculty of Oldham College. Delivered one to one support to students, monitoring targets and progress. Liaised closely with external agencies to ensure the highest level of support was delivered to each student. Responsibilities included investigating and handling safeguarding issues in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. In charge of staff training around safeguarding in both development and implementation. Advised staff around safeguarding concerns and support them through cases. Worked with a number of agencies and legal teams regarding cases and regularly gave evidence in court regarding cases.
Assistant SENCO/Literacy Coordinator/ Library Manager
Siddal Moor Sports College
2007.09 - 2009.10
- Key responsibilities were to work with local council on ensuring correct support was given to students with special educational needs and coordinate and deliver all literacy support across SEN department. Oversaw a majority of support reviews and ensured all protocol surrounding reviews was adhered to. Managed teaching assistant workload and timetables in addition to overseeing library stock, budgets, and plan and deliver library sessions and events.
Education
NVQ Level 3 - Counselling Skills
Hopwood Hall College
Rochdale 2024.10 - 2025.06
Level 3 Practical Solutions - Dyslexia Support
British Dyslexia Association
2021.04 - 2021.12
Level 5 Diploma - Trauma Informed Schools and Communities (Practitioner Status)
Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education
2021.01 - 2021.04
NVQ Level 2 - Functional Skills Maths Levels 1 and 2
Hopwood Hall College
2017.09 - 2018.05
Master of Arts - Film Studies
De Montfort University, Leicester
Independent Study/Research 2011.10 - 2014.01
BA Joint Hons - Film Studies and Creative Writing
Cumbria Institute of the Arts, Carlisle
2004.01 - 2007.01
A Level - Film Studies, English Language, English Literature
Bury College, Bury
2002.01 - 2004.01
GCSE - English Language, English Literature, Science Double Award, Maths
Siddal Moor Sports College
1997.01 - 2002.01
Skills
- Calm under pressure
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
- Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Designing and delivering improvements to support services
References
Available upon request
Accomplishments
- Nomination - Oldham College - Manager of the Year 2025
- Educate North Awards - Nominee - Social Mobility Award 2020
Certification
Member - National Associtation of Disability Practitoners
Sexual Violence Liasion Officer Training - LimeCulture - November 2025
Designated Safeguarding Lead Training: Children and Adults - Safeguarding Associates for Excellence - November 2024
Timeline
NVQ Level 3 - Counselling Skills
Hopwood Hall College
2024.10 - 2025.06
Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services
University Campus Oldham
2022.04 - 2025.11
Level 3 Practical Solutions - Dyslexia Support
British Dyslexia Association
2021.04 - 2021.12
Level 5 Diploma - Trauma Informed Schools and Communities (Practitioner Status)
Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education
2021.01 - 2021.04
Disability Officer
University Campus Oldham
2018.12 - 2022.04
NVQ Level 2 - Functional Skills Maths Levels 1 and 2
Hopwood Hall College
2017.09 - 2018.05
Reading Support Facilitator
Oldham College
2016.09 - 2018.12
Tutor Cover Support
Oldham College
2016.02 - 2016.07
Senior SEN Caseworker
Bury MBC
2015.01 - 2016.02
Master of Arts - Film Studies
De Montfort University, Leicester
2011.10 - 2014.01
Student Mentor and Safeguarding Officer
Oldham College
2009.10 - 2014.12
Assistant SENCO/Literacy Coordinator/ Library Manager
Siddal Moor Sports College
2007.09 - 2009.10
BA Joint Hons - Film Studies and Creative Writing
Cumbria Institute of the Arts, Carlisle
2004.01 - 2007.01
A Level - Film Studies, English Language, English Literature
Bury College, Bury
2002.01 - 2004.01
GCSE - English Language, English Literature, Science Double Award, Maths
Siddal Moor Sports College
1997.01 - 2002.01