At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students' pastoral needs and enhance their engagement in studies.
- Company: Join Blackburn College, a diverse and supportive educational environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, employee assistance, gym discounts, and more.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives and help them achieve their potential.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience with hard-to-engage individuals required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
The College is looking to appoint a dynamic, flexible and pro-active individual, responsible for student pastoral support needs and providing effective interventions for students that disengage with their studies. The focus of this role is to support positive student engagement (both young people and adults) and to identify and resolve barriers to positive attendance, retention and achievement.
As a key member of the Student Support and Experience Team, you will take responsibility for providing timely interventions and support teaching and support colleagues to effectively safeguard students and determine strategies to address pastoral and engagement issues, including maximising external agency support and outreach services. You will champion pastoral themes and provide an engaging prevention and 'early help' offer as part of a centralised Pastoral Hub.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for someone who demonstrates excellent initiative, with strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. You will bring experience of working with hard-to-engage individuals and have a strong understanding of the challenges and barriers that can impact young people's educational achievement. The successful candidate will have extensive experience working with vulnerable adults and a proven ability to motivate individuals, supporting positive engagement and encouraging changes in attitude and behaviour. You will be confident in developing robust engagement and participation plans, alongside using data effectively to monitor progress, evaluate impact, and inform interventions.
What makes Blackburn College an Employer of choice?
- Employee Assistance Programme with a 24/7/365 helpline for advice and support
- Regular Staff Physical Activity Sessions and reduced-price gym membership
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted Bus Travel with the Transdev Commuter Club
- Family-friendly policies
- Free eye tests and contribution to VDU-use-only glasses
- Several food outlets with a variety of menu choices
- A full range of discounted professional Hair & Beauty services provided by the Academy Salon
- Professional bakery offering a variety of fresh breads, cakes, and ready meals
Blackburn College values diversity and is committed to creating a diverse workforce. Blackburn College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments are subject to a variety of pre-employment checks, including satisfactory references, medical clearance, and an enhanced DBS check.
FE Student Pastoral Support and Engagement Officer in Blackburn employer: onlyFE
onlyFE is an excellent employer that values its staff and fosters a supportive work culture, particularly for those in the Education Cleaning Specialist role at our Poole campus. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to maintaining a safe and clean environment for both students and staff, making it a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FE Student Pastoral Support and Engagement Officer in Blackburn
✨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 onlyFE.
✨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 onlyFE!
✨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 onlyFE, 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 onlyFE 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 FE Student Pastoral Support and Engagement Officer in Blackburn
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 onlyFE:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to onlyFE! 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 onlyFE
✨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.
