PBS Active Support Practitioner

Salary: £26,678.00 - £29,099.61 (FTE £31,155.00 - £33,983.00) Negotiated on appointment, depending on experience and qualifications.

Working Pattern: 36 hours a week, term time only.

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 – staff are offered opportunities through regular training and support to develop their own practice. 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.

A core part of this work is the Connections Team. The Connections 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.

Role Overview

We are seeking an Active Support Practitioner – to sit within our Connections team – to support the development of high‑quality, person‑centred practice across Dysart School through the implementation of PBS and Active Support. The practitioner will work directly within classrooms to coach, model and embed practice that supports pupils to be actively engaged, participate, communicate and make choices in their daily learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of Active Support and PBS informed practice across the school, ensuring consistent, high quality practice across classrooms.
• Act as a key practitioner within the Connections Team, supporting the embedding of PBSPs and person‑centred approaches into everyday classroom practice.
• Influence staff practice through modelling, coaching and respectful professional challenge, supporting a shift towards a PBS‑informed approach focused on engagement, communication and participation.
• Contribute to staff development through training, discussion and reflective practice within classes, across the school and, where appropriate, across the academy trust.
• Support consistency of practice across classes, identifying strengths, themes and areas for development.

Key Requirements

• Secure understanding of SEND needs and development.
• Experience supporting pupils with complex needs to increase engagement, participation and independence within a school environment.
• Experience/knowledge of PBS-informed or person‑centred practice within a school setting.
• Experience supporting and modelling best practice for staff.
• Experience working with pupils with communication differences, supporting interaction, engagement and participation.
• Understanding of safeguarding, equal opportunities and relevant legislation, aligned with PBS values of dignity and respect.
• Working knowledge of health and safety procedures, supporting safe and least‑restrictive practice in line with PBS principles.
• GCSE grade 9–4 (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.

Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Benefits

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme).
• Employee Wellbeing – 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.
• Pension Scheme – enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners. 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 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 a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.

Closing Date: Sunday 31 May 2026. Interviews will take place on week commencing 15 June 2026. To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered.