At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with emotional and pastoral needs to engage with education.
- Company: Nurturing secondary provision focused on relationships and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Term-time only, ongoing training, and a supportive leadership team.
- Other info: Ideal for careers in education, counselling, or youth work.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact on young people's lives in a therapeutic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEMH, SEN, Autism, or EBSA; strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 23500 - 24000 £ per year.
Salary: £23,500 – £24,000 per annum (Term Time Only)
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Contract: Full-Time – 12‑weeks Temp to Perm
Start Date: September 2026
Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Behaviour Mentor, or Pastoral Support Worker looking for a role where relationships come before results? We are recruiting for a Teaching Assistant / Pastoral Key Worker to join a unique and nurturing secondary provision in Crawley, supporting young people with SEMH, SEN, Autism (ASC), and Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA). This is a highly rewarding opportunity to work within a trauma‑informed environment where emotional wellbeing, trust, and meaningful relationships sit at the heart of the educational experience.
The Role
As a Pastoral Key Worker, you will support students who require additional emotional and pastoral support to successfully engage with education. Working as part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team, you will help young people develop confidence, emotional regulation, resilience, and readiness to learn. You will play a vital role in creating a safe and supportive environment where students feel understood, valued, and able to achieve success at their own pace.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing 1:1 pastoral and emotional support to students
- Supporting learners with SEMH, SEN, Autism (ASC), and EBSA
- Helping students re‑engage with education through personalised support strategies
- Supporting emotional regulation, wellbeing, attendance, and engagement
- Assisting students with online learning, independent study, and homework where appropriate
- Building strong, positive, and consistent relationships with pupils
- Supporting the development of confidence, resilience, and self‑regulation skills
- Monitoring student progress, wellbeing, attendance, and engagement
- Contributing to EHCP reviews, support plans, and personalised interventions
- Working collaboratively with teachers, therapists, SEN staff, parents, and external professionals
- Supporting transitions back into classroom‑based or wider learning environments
- Assisting with social activities, enrichment opportunities, and educational visits
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience supporting secondary‑aged pupils with SEMH, SEN, Autism, or EBSA
- Comes from a Teaching Assistant, Behaviour Mentor, Youth Work, Care, Pastoral, or Alternative Provision background
- Understands trauma‑informed and relationship‑led practice
- Is calm, empathetic, patient, and emotionally resilient
- Can build trust with young people who may be disengaged from education
- Is passionate about supporting emotional wellbeing and positive outcomes
- Has excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
- Works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
Why Apply?
- Permanent, term‑time only position
- Opportunity to work within a therapeutic and trauma‑informed setting
- Strong focus on relationships, wellbeing, and student‑centred practice
- Supportive and forward‑thinking leadership team
- Ongoing CPD, training, and professional development opportunities
- Opportunity to make a genuine and lasting impact on young people’s lives
- Excellent experience for careers in education, SEN, counselling, therapy, youth work, or pastoral support
Apply Now
If you are passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to education and want to work within a supportive, relationship‑led environment, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to be considered for this rewarding Teaching Assistant / Pastoral Support Worker opportunity in Crawley.
Pastoral Support in Crawley employer: NextGen Teachers
Join a nurturing and supportive team in Crawley, where your role as a Pastoral Support Worker will allow you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people with SEMH and SEN. Our commitment to emotional wellbeing and relationship-led practice creates a unique work culture that prioritises personal growth and professional development, ensuring you thrive in a therapeutic environment. With ongoing training opportunities and a focus on building trust and resilience, this is an excellent place for those passionate about education and youth support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Support in Crawley
✨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 NextGen Teachers.
✨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 NextGen Teachers!
✨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 NextGen Teachers, 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 NextGen Teachers 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 in Crawley
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 NextGen Teachers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to NextGen Teachers! 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 NextGen Teachers
✨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.
