Pastoral Practitioner

— this role does not offer sponsorship

As part of our continued growth, we are excited to offer a Pastoral Practitioner position at Dibden Park School, part of Acorn Education. You’ll join a supportive, close-knit team dedicated to helping pupils with additional needs thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

The Pastoral Practitioner plays a key role in providing targeted, 1 : 1 mentoring and support to pupils, ensuring they achieve their full potential. Working closely with teaching staff, parents / carers, and the Senior Leadership Team, you will deliver interventions, guidance, and support tailored to individual needs. Your work will help create a safe, nurturing, and structured environment where every pupil can grow in confidence, resilience, and independence.

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils at all times
• Provide 1 : 1 mentoring and support to pupils, addressing academic, social, and emotional needs
• Assist pupils during learning sessions, break times, and lunchtimes, including behaviour management and facilitating activities
• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to identify pupils in need and ensure appropriate support is in place
• Participate in meetings with parents, carers, and external agencies to discuss pupil welfare and progress
• Implement and manage reward and sanction systems consistently and effectively
• Liaise and provide feedback to parents / carers, offering guidance and signposting to relevant support services

• Experience working with children or young people with additional needs, including SEN or SEMH
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with pupils, staff, and families
• Ability to remain calm, consistent, and supportive in challenging situations
• A proactive, reflective approach to problem-solving and pupil support
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all pupils
• Full UK Driving Licence

Dibden Park School is a brand-new independent specialist school based in Southampton. We provide inclusive education within a safe and nurturing environment for students with complex needs, including social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges, communication and interaction difficulties, and associated behaviours. Our focus is on meeting each pupil’s individual needs and helping them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those 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

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to 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.

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including :

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including :

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility…