At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding and social care initiatives, supporting vulnerable families and pupils in crisis.
- Company: Rockingham Junior and Infant School, part of Willow Tree Academy.
- Benefits: Professional development, supportive team, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team committed to inclusion and student welfare.
- Why this job: Shape a strategic role and help vulnerable children thrive in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in school or social care, strong communication skills, and a child-centred approach.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Rockingham Junior and Infant School is seeking an exceptional Pastoral Lead to join our Extended Senior Leadership Team. In this vital role you will provide strategic leadership for safeguarding and social care, ensuring our practices remain robust, proactive, and compliant.
Key Responsibilities
- Safeguarding Leadership: Act as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), serving as the primary point of contact for families, Social Care, and external agencies.
- Triage & Crisis Support: Act as the main point of contact for staff and parents reporting child protection concerns, while ensuring a safe space and immediate support for pupils in crisis.
- Strategic Collaboration: Team up with the SENDCO and Headteacher to identify trends in pupil behaviour and welfare, extending inclusion practices beyond the standard curriculum.
- Mental Health Leadership: Serve as the designated Senior Mental Health Lead, driving school‑wide initiatives (such as My Happy Mind and With Me In Mind) to promote wellbeing for both pupils and staff.
- Multi‑Agency Coordination: Lead and coordinate high‑level multi‑agency meetings, including Child Protection (CP) conferences, Child in Need (CiN) meetings, and Team Around the Family (TAF) sessions.
- Staff Mentorship & Training: Lead, mentor and evaluate the broader pastoral team, while overseeing safeguarding training to ensure absolute compliance with "Keeping Children Safe in Education" (KCSIE).
Qualifications
- Substantial experience in a school, social care or early help environment supporting vulnerable families.
- Deep operational understanding of KCSIE, the Prevent Duty and local authority thresholds.
- Ability to maintain meticulous, confidential and chronological records using digital tracking systems.
- An empathetic, child‑centred approach that places the wishes and feelings of the child at the centre of all reporting and triage.
- Experience in conducting home visits and working alongside attendance officers to tackle persistent absenteeism.
- Superb communication skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with parents and represent the school on external panels (such as the Rotherham Inclusion panel).
What We Offer
- The opportunity to shape a strategic, senior leadership role within a highly supportive and collaborative academy environment.
- A dedicated team of professionals deeply committed to absolute inclusion and student welfare.
- Continuous professional development and training opportunities, including Senior Mental Health Lead training and specialist SEMH network support.
- The profound reward of removing significant barriers to learning and watching our most vulnerable children thrive.
Important Details
- Closing date: 24.06.2026 (12pm)
- Interview date: 29.6.2026
- Start date: 1st September 2026
- Visits to the school are welcomed – please contact rockingham@willowtreeacademy.org to arrange a time.
Willow Tree Academy Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Pastoral Leader employer: Rockingham Junior and Infant School
Rockingham Junior and Infant School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children. With a strong commitment to professional development, including training for Senior Mental Health Leads, and a dedicated team focused on inclusion and student welfare, this role provides a unique opportunity to shape strategic leadership in safeguarding and social care. Located in a community-oriented setting, the school fosters a culture of empathy and trust, ensuring that both staff and pupils thrive.
Contact Details:
Rockingham Junior and Infant School Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Leader
✨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 Rockingham Junior and Infant School.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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✨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 Rockingham Junior and Infant 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 Rockingham Junior and Infant 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 Leader
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 Rockingham Junior and Infant School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rockingham Junior and Infant 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 Rockingham Junior and Infant 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.
