At a Glance
- Tasks: Support learners' welfare and wellbeing in a compassionate, proactive role.
- Company: Join Mencap, a leading charity dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days of paid holiday, discounts, health plans, and more.
- Other info: Flexible working options available, including part-time contracts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in learners' lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in pastoral care, safeguarding, and working with young people is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Mencap we are looking for a compassionate and proactive Pastoral Officer to join our supported internships team. The role focuses on ensuring the welfare and pastoral needs of learners on our Supported Internship are met. The position is full time (37.5 hours per week) permanent, providing both remote and in‑person support across our sites in Staffordshire and Northamptonshire. A part‑time contract may be discussed for the successful applicant.
Responsibilities
- Work closely with delivery teams to build their skills and confidence around learner welfare, safeguarding and wellbeing across each programme.
- Work directly with learners and their families, on a 1:1 basis or as part of group sessions within local services.
- Support staff in identifying and responding to safeguarding, Prevent, and pastoral concerns.
- Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment that enables learners to succeed.
- Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external agencies to ensure consistent, high‑quality support.
- Identify learners who need additional welfare support and develop individual support plans.
Qualifications
- Experience of dealing with mental health, safeguarding & Prevent concerns.
- Experience of providing pastoral care & support.
- Experience working with learners who have a learning disability, learning difficulty or autism.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to efficiently work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of statutory safeguarding and Prevent legislation for young people and experience working with young people in an education setting.
- Well‑organised & self‑motivated.
- Experience to inspire learners and provide effective engagement and support strategies.
- Training or qualifications relating to welfare/pastoral support desirable (e.g., mental health first aid, designated safeguarding lead training).
- Experience dealing with welfare issues of young people.
Benefits
Mencap offers a range of benefits, including 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro‑rata), discounts at leading retailers, access to health cash plans, interest‑free loans, and more. Benefits details are provided in the attached document.
Pastoral Officer in Skegness employer: Mencap
Mencap is an exceptional employer that prioritises the welfare and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where compassion and collaboration thrive. With a focus on meaningful engagement, employees benefit from extensive training opportunities, a generous holiday allowance, and access to various perks, all while making a significant impact in the lives of learners with disabilities in the vibrant communities of Staffordshire and Northamptonshire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Officer in Skegness
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Mencap.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Mencap!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Mencap, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Mencap or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastoral Officer in Skegness
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Mencap:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Mencap! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mencap
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
