At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people emotionally and help them overcome personal barriers.
- Company: Join Veritas Education, a leading recruitment company in West Yorkshire.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, access to training courses, and diverse career opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a nurturing environment with excellent support from experienced consultants.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while building positive relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in education or support roles, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Salary: £100 - £115 per day
The Role
Are you a compassionate, resilient and approachable individual with a passion for supporting the emotional well-being and development of young people? Do you have experience supporting children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, challenging behaviour or difficult personal circumstances? Veritas Education are working with a number of schools and specialist provisions across Wakefield who are looking for dedicated Pastoral Support Workers to join their teams. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine difference, providing emotional guidance, behavioural support and a safe space for pupils who may need additional support to overcome personal, social or educational barriers. Whether you have a background in education, youth work, counselling, mental health, social care or family support, we would love to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide one-to-one and small-group pastoral support to pupils experiencing emotional, social or behavioural difficulties.
- Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils, acting as a consistent and supportive role model.
- Support students with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, helping them develop emotional regulation and coping strategies.
- Implement positive behaviour strategies and encourage appropriate behaviour, engagement and attendance.
- Support pupils during periods of distress, anxiety or crisis, following school policies and individual support plans.
- Help identify barriers to learning and implement strategies to improve engagement, confidence and well-being.
- Work collaboratively with teachers, safeguarding teams, parents, carers and external professionals.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of pastoral interventions, progress and any safeguarding concerns.
- Promote a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where every pupil feels valued and supported.
Requirements:
- Previous experience within a pastoral, educational, youth work, social care or support-based role is desirable.
- Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH, behavioural or additional needs is advantageous.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- A patient, empathetic and approachable personality.
- Ability to build positive relationships and establish trust with young people.
- Confidence managing challenging situations and supporting emotional regulation.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team.
- GCSEs in English and Maths or equivalent qualifications.
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is mandatory (we can help advise on this).
Desirable:
- Relevant qualifications in Pastoral Care, Counselling, Youth Work, Social Work or Mental Health.
- Specialist training or qualifications, including Team Teach, Safeguarding, Positive Behaviour Support or Mental Health First Aid.
- Experience working within SEN, SEMH, alternative provisions or mainstream educational settings.
Why Choose Veritas Education?
- A market-leading Education Recruitment company covering the West Yorkshire area.
- Access to over 80 online CPD training courses available to all our supply, long-term and permanent staff members.
- A range of different career opportunities across SEN, Primary, Secondary and Early Years education.
- Opportunities to gain experience across a variety of schools and specialist provisions.
- An experienced consultant available to support you with any queries, provide ongoing guidance and help you take the next steps in your career.
Interested in Applying?
If you are passionate about supporting young people, building positive relationships and helping pupils overcome barriers to learning, we would love to hear from you!
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VERITAS EDUCATION
- All applications are subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure, professional reference checks, Overseas Police Clearances (if applicable) in line with our stringent safeguarding policy.
- Your CV must cover the last 10 years of employment history where possible and all employment breaks must be explained.
- You must have legal right to work in the UK.
- You must be willing to attend a registration interview.
Pastoral Support Worker in Wakefield employer: Veritas Education
Join a dedicated team at an established Alternative Provision in West London, where your role as a Learning Support Assistant will be both impactful and rewarding. With a strong focus on collaboration and professional development, you'll have the opportunity to grow alongside passionate colleagues while making a real difference in the lives of students facing challenges. Enjoy a supportive work culture that values resilience and commitment, all within a vibrant community committed to fostering positive educational outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Support Worker in Wakefield
✨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 Veritas Education.
✨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 Veritas Education!
✨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 Veritas Education, 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 Veritas Education 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 Support Worker in Wakefield
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 Veritas Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Veritas Education! 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 Veritas Education
✨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.
