Pastoral Support Assistant

Do you have a natural ability to connect with children and help them feel listened to, supported and valued? Are you passionate about children's wellbeing and interested in helping them build confidence, resilience and positive relationships?

A specialist school in Swindon, Wiltshire is looking for a compassionate and proactive Pastoral Support Assistant to join their dedicated team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to play a meaningful role in supporting children's emotional wellbeing, social development and personal growth.

As a Pastoral Support Assistant, you will work closely with children aged 5-16 who may require additional support with emotional regulation, confidence, social interaction, behaviour and the challenges they experience within the school environment.

The Role

The Pastoral Support Assistant will provide consistent, child-centred support throughout the school day, helping children feel secure and better equipped to manage their emotions and relationships.

Your responsibilities will include:

Providing 1:1 and small-group pastoral support to children.
Developing positive, trusting relationships with children and becoming a reliable source of encouragement.
Helping children identify and communicate their emotions appropriately.
Supporting children to develop confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
Encouraging positive social interactions and helping children develop appropriate communication skills.
Supporting children through periods of anxiety, frustration or emotional difficulty.
Helping children develop practical strategies for managing challenging situations.
Encouraging positive behaviour and engagement with education.
Providing mentoring and reassurance when children are experiencing personal or emotional barriers.
Working alongside teachers, pastoral staff and SEN professionals to ensure consistent support.
Sharing relevant observations regarding children's wellbeing, behaviour and progress.
Contributing to a safe, inclusive and nurturing school environment.

As a Pastoral Support Assistant, you will take the time to understand each child's individual circumstances, strengths and needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

About You

We are looking for a Pastoral Support Assistant who is:

Warm, approachable and naturally empathetic.
Patient and resilient when supporting children through difficult situations.
Passionate about children's emotional wellbeing, development and education.
Confident building professional and trusting relationships with children.
A strong communicator and active listener.
Able to establish appropriate boundaries while remaining supportive and approachable.
Observant and able to recognise when a child may need additional emotional or pastoral support.
Positive, proactive and willing to adapt their approach to individual children's needs.
Previous experience in pastoral care, education, childcare, youth work, mental health, SEND or support work is beneficial but not essential.

Why Become a Pastoral Support Assistant?

This Pastoral Support Assistant position provides valuable hands-on experience for individuals considering future careers within Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Teaching, Youth Services, Mental Health or Special Educational Needs.

You will develop practical skills in:

Pastoral care and mentoring.
Emotional wellbeing support.
Child development and social development.
Communication and active listening.
Safeguarding and professional boundaries.
Behaviour awareness and emotional regulation.
Building positive relationships with children.
Supporting confidence, resilience and independence.

Working as a Pastoral Support Assistant will give you valuable insight into the wider factors that can influence a child's behaviour, wellbeing, relationships and ability to engage with education.

What We Offer

This Pastoral Support Assistant opportunity provides:

£85-£110 per day, depending on experience.
PAYE weekly pay.
Full-time, Monday-Friday working hours.
September 2026 start.
A supportive specialist school environment in Swindon, Wiltshire.
Hands-on experience supporting children aged 5-16.
The opportunity to work alongside…