At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students' behaviour and help create a calm, safe learning environment.
- Company: Join New Leaf School, a nurturing community focused on student success.
- Benefits: Enjoy health plans, discounts, and a cycle to work scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to social mobility and justice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives and help them thrive.
- Qualifications: Strong interpersonal skills and a passion for supporting young people.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
We passionately believe that every young person who attends New Leaf School should achieve excellent personal and academic progress. This is due to our nurturing and caring approach. We provide a personalised learning experience to enable students to reintegrate into a mainstream school or to transition into an appropriate educational establishment. This equips them with the skills they need to succeed in their future. Every day is a step forward, a chance to grow, an opportunity to build resilience and confidence needed to step forward into the future. We work with our young people to ensure that any barrier in their life we overcome together. This support is also extended to our young people's families who we work really hard with to support them as we know the benefits that this has on our students. At New Leaf, we welcome every young person with open hearts and open minds. Our promise is very simple: to provide a safe, nurturing environment where all of our students are believed in, valued and given the opportunity to thrive.
Our Values
- Ready – Being ready means more than just having a pen or a planner, it also means being mentally prepared, emotionally supported and equipped to focus on the task at hand.
- Respectful – Respectful means recognising our own worth and the worth of others. Our students learn that respect is not just about their own behaviour, but also about the way that they treat each other and themselves when they're in a learning environment.
- Safe – That's the foundation. Feeling safe, acting safe, and making sure that others feel the same. When a young person feels safe, we know that everything else becomes possible.
Our core values underpin everything we do. We want our staff and students to be ready, respectful and safe.
About the role
Are you ready to embark on a rewarding journey within an educational community that values increasing opportunities, improving outcomes for our students? We are looking for a Pastoral Support Worker to join our team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting pupils’ behaviour around school, helping to maintain a calm, safe and purposeful environment throughout the day. This will include encouraging positive choices during transitions, breaktimes and unstructured times, using restorative and relational approaches to de‑escalate situations, reinforce expectations and help pupils develop confidence, resilience and self‑regulation. The role will require someone who can build trusting relationships with pupils, work closely with teaching and pastoral staff, and contribute consistently to the school’s wider safeguarding and behaviour support systems.
Why The Mercian Trust?
As one Trust we share a common purpose. We call it our social mobility and social justice mission to change our communities through the very best equitable education. When we get this right, it enables our children and young people to fulfil their potential, thrive in the world of work, and make a positive contribution to the local, national and international community.
What can we offer you
Benefits: Financial, Health and Lifestyle discounts on everyday purchases (Eden Red), a comprehensive free of charge health plan (UK Health Care), a cycle to work scheme via Halfords, Access to the Blue Light Card.
The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references. The Mercian Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Pastoral Support Worker employer: New Leaf School
At New Leaf School, we are dedicated to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment where every young person can thrive academically and personally. Our commitment to social mobility and justice is reflected in our innovative approaches to education, including a brand-new campus in Walsall Town Centre and a focus on mental health support. We offer competitive benefits, ongoing professional development, and a collaborative work culture that empowers staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our students and their families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Support Worker
✨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 New Leaf School.
✨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 New Leaf School!
✨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 New Leaf School, 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 New Leaf School 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 Support Worker
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 New Leaf School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to New Leaf School! 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 New Leaf School
✨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.
