At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable pupils and families with compassionate, solution-focused guidance.
- Company: Join a diverse and inclusive community dedicated to making a positive impact.
- Benefits: Generous salary, pension, health benefits, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in pastoral support and safeguarding within education or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 30700 - 33951 £ per year.
Actual Annual Salary: £30,700 - £33,951 based on 37 hours per week, Term Time Only plus INSET days. Full Time Equivalent Salary: £35,852 - £39,649 (CLF Grade E) based on 37 hours per week all year round.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Provisional Start Date: 19 October 2026
Would you like to make a meaningful impact by supporting staff, children and families through compassionate, solution-focused guidance that strengthens relationships and unlocks potential? The Nest at Snowdon Village is seeking an experienced, compassionate and highly motivated Pastoral and Safeguarding Lead to play a pivotal role in supporting our most vulnerable pupils and their families. The successful candidate will provide high quality, impartial and solution-focused pastoral support, helping pupils overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential academically, socially and emotionally.
They will work closely with families, staff and external agencies to strengthen relationships, improve engagement and coordinate effective support for pupils with additional social, emotional and mental health needs. The postholder will also have a leading role in safeguarding and child protection across the provision, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, promoting a strong safeguarding culture and acting as a key source of advice and support for staff and families.
This role requires someone who is passionate about supporting vulnerable children and young people, skilled in building trusting relationships and confident in working with pupils who may present with complex needs or challenging behaviours.
About you:
- Passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
- Experienced in providing pastoral, family support or safeguarding services within education, social care, youth work or a related field.
- Confident working with pupils experiencing social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, behavioural difficulties or other complex barriers to learning.
- Skilled in building positive relationships with children, families, staff and external agencies.
- Able to communicate effectively and professionally in challenging or sensitive situations.
- Knowledgeable about safeguarding, child protection and relevant statutory guidance.
You will also have:
- Experience of working directly with families and delivering family-centred support.
- Experience of attending or leading multi-agency meetings such as Team Around the Child (TAF), Child in Need (CIN) or Child Protection meetings.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Good literacy and numeracy skills.
- An appropriate Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience.
- A full clean driving licence or the ability to travel for home visits, meetings and training.
Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.
About Snowdon Village - The Nest
The Nest is a nurture-based re-engagement provision for primary-aged pupils (4–11) who are experiencing difficulties in mainstream school due to social, emotional and mental health needs. It also supports children who may have experienced trauma, instability in their home environment, or other challenges that impact their ability to access learning. As an early intervention provision, The Nest offers bespoke, time-limited support focused on rebuilding emotional resilience, developing positive learning behaviours and preparing pupils for a successful return to mainstream education.
At The Nest, nurture sits at the heart of everything we do. Staff work collaboratively to create a differentiated and aspirational curriculum that challenges and engages every learner. We recognise that academic progress follows when children feel safe, valued and understood, and we prioritise building trusting relationships that enable pupils to thrive. Our curriculum ensures that pupils continue to access the same key skills, knowledge and concepts as their peers in mainstream education, delivered through carefully scaffolded, structured and supportive approaches.
We believe an excellent primary curriculum is accessible to all learners, built from individual starting points, focused on developing confidence and self-efficacy, and designed to empower every child to succeed.
About Snowdon Village Academy:
Snowdon Village is a multi-site, cross-phase alternative provision that sits within the heart of the CLF. The Snowdon Village sites include The Nest, Engage, Bristol Futures Academy and City School. Our primary aim is to meet the needs of children and young adults who have social, emotional and mental health issues by offering a suite of alternatives to mainstream school. Members of Snowdon Village may engage with the provision in a variety of ways, from long-term residential care to short-term, part-time alternatives which complement their existing school experience.
We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from under-represented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
Why work at CLF?
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.
What we can offer you:
- Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Generous annual leave.
- A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
- Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!
Recruitment timeline:
- Closing Date: 02 September 2026
- Shortlisting Date: 03 September 2026
- Interviews: 16 September 2026
We welcome visits from potential candidates. If you would like to arrange a school visit prior to the closing date, please contact the academy/site directly to arrange a suitable appointment.
As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs – a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form. Please note we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.
Pastoral and Safeguarding Lead (Specialist) in Bristol employer: Snowdon Village
At Snowdon Village, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our generous benefits package, including access to a Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive training opportunities, and a focus on career progression. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and families while working alongside a passionate team that values collaboration and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral and Safeguarding Lead (Specialist) in Bristol
✨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 Snowdon Village.
✨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 Snowdon Village!
✨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 Snowdon Village, 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 Snowdon Village 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 and Safeguarding Lead (Specialist) in Bristol
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 Snowdon Village:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Snowdon Village! 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 Snowdon Village
✨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.
