Family Support Practitioner in London

Dysart School is an Outstanding special school in Kingston, providing education for pupils from 4 to 19 with a range of severe and complex learning difficulties. To help meet the growing demand for high-quality SEN provision in the borough, Dysart also operates three satellite sites located alongside local mainstream schools – creating inclusive opportunities and expanding access to specialist support. Its main site, located in Surbiton, is bright and well equipped to support the development of its pupils, including Early Years classrooms with outdoor learning spaces, an onsite work‑related learning kitchen, an accessible swimming pool, sensory room, soft play and adventure play areas, and clearly defined outside spaces that support pupils’ learning and self‑regulation.

Dysart School is a progressive and innovative place to work, and staff are offered opportunities through regular training and support to develop their own practice. We are seeking a Family Support Practitioner to join our school, within the Connections Team. The Team works alongside pupils, class teams and families to provide proactive, preventative and relational support, building capacity and consistency across school and home, promoting inclusive, joined‑up working that reduces stress and supports positive outcomes. Dysart takes a person‑centred, relational approach grounded in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). Practice across the school focuses on understanding behaviour as communication and creating environments that support engagement, participation, relationships and quality of life, rather than relying on reactive or compliance‑based approaches.

The role aims to:

• Build and strengthen relationships between home and school, reducing some of the pressures and stressors for parents and carers, knowing that this in turn positively impacts the pupils’ wellbeing, engagement and quality of life.
• Ensure a smooth and welcoming transition into Dysart School, and again, out of Dysart when students move on from the school onto possible college placements.
• Work with external agencies surrounding the pupils to promote inclusive, joined up working.

Key Responsibilities

• Advocate for parents in meetings and support preparation and follow‑up.
• Support inclusive communication and access to information through relational drop‑ins: supporting and reassuring, offering guidance, and signposting families to appropriate services.
• Recognise safeguarding concerns and elevate appropriately.
• Assist the SLT and class team in welcoming new families to the school through open mornings and transition meetings, ensuring a smooth transition into Dysart School.
• Class visits, including lunch duties, to see students within their learning environments to inform conversations with families and further understand and experience the school environment.

Key Requirements

• GCSE grade 9‑4 (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics and good literacy skills.
• Commitment to working alongside families with dignity and respect, understanding that reducing family stress supports positive outcomes for pupils.
• Proven experience working effectively with children and young people.
• Confident use of digital systems, online forms, and digital tools for communication and engagement.
• Confident in communicating with a range of individuals and professionals, achieving successful lines of communication regardless of possible language barriers and additional needs.
• Understanding of safeguarding, equal opportunities and relevant legislation, aligned with PBS values of dignity and respect and able to recognise safeguarding concerns and follow escalation processes.

Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment. Pension Scheme – you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family. Employee Wellbeing – We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme. Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more). Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme).

Dysart School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre‑school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners. Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential. As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities. It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

Interviews will take place on: week commencing 6 July 2026. To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.