Pastoral Care Assistant

For children with complex, challenging needs, the level of care and education must go above and beyond. That’s what drives us, here at Witherslack Group. With our high staff‑to‑child ratio and in‑house clinical teams, we’re proud to have won a reputation for excellence and market‑leading OFSTED ratings.

Get out what you put in

As a Pastoral Support Assistant you’ll help us meet our young people’s emotional needs. Our young people have challenging complex emotional and behavioural needs [Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health] and need more support than most. You’ll make sure they get it by applying high standards of care. It means working with families and developing programmes for each individual young person.

With careful assessment and planning, you’ll create a positive learning environment where every young person can thrive.

With experience working with young people with BESD or ASD in a school or care setting you will understand our young people’s developmental needs and what pastoral care entails. A good listener who can motivate and work in a team, you inspire young people to achieve. Flexibility and good organisational skills mean you’ll be an asset to the Witherslack Group.

One of the best environments in SEND

The transformational effect of Avon Park School is consistently witnessed by parents, carers and professionals alike. The school’s ability to connect and engage with pupils is a result of its strong ethos of “high expectations and aspirations for every child” – and recently achieved an Outstanding rating by Ofsted.

All school staff, including teaching, pastoral and therapy, work in a truly collaborative way to ensure each pupil not only develops academically but also emotionally and personally. This ‘whole school’ commitment sees pupils with ADHD, ASD, Asperger’s or SEMH grow into capable and confident young people who want to succeed.

• Provide pastoral support to young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs, including those on the autism spectrum and with social, emotional and mental health needs.

• Develop and maintain individual support programmes in collaboration with families and multidisciplinary teams.

• Conduct careful assessment and planning to create a positive learning environment for each pupil.

• Act as a positive role model and motivate young people to achieve.

• Work flexibly and organise tasks to support the educational and welfare outcomes of the school.

• Previous experience with ASC, ADHD or SEMH pupils and working with families in challenging circumstances.
• Experience of multi‑agency work with an understanding of legislation, policies and guidance around safeguarding and child protection.
• Ideally NVQ 3 in Care or Level 2 Teaching Assistant Qualification.

• Training: A full induction and on‑the‑job training.
• Holiday: Full school holidays.
• Progression: Career development through promotion from within the group.
• Flexible benefits: Ability to adjust benefits such as life insurance.
• Wellbeing: A range of wellbeing tools and employee assistance.
• Medical cover: Reimbursement for optician/dentist appointments and high‑street discounts.
• Beautiful working environments: Access to the best facilities.
• A recommend‑a‑friend scheme offering a £1,000 bonus every time.
• Contributory pension scheme: Matched up to 5%.

Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves.

Bring your whole‑self to work and you’ll be able to connect with our pupils because of your experience and expertise in supporting and resolving difficulties.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

For a full job description and person specification, please see the attached document.