At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with emotional and behavioural needs to thrive in a positive learning environment.
- Company: Witherslack Group, a leader in specialist education and care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with ASC, ADHD, or SEMH pupils; NVQ 3 in Care preferred.
The predicted salary is between 29540 - 29540 € per year.
Up to £29,540 + Excellent Benefits
For children with complex, challenging needs, the level of care and education must go above and beyond. That’s what drives us, here at Witherslack Group. With our high staff-to-child ratio and in-house clinical teams, we’re proud to have won a reputation for excellence and market leading OFSTED ratings.
As a Pastoral Support Assistant you’ll help us meet our young peoples’ emotional needs. Our young people have challenging complex emotional and behavioural needs (Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health) and need more support than most. You’ll make sure they get it by applying high standards of care. It means working with families and developing programs for each individual young person. With careful assessment and planning, you’ll create a positive learning environment where every young person can thrive.
With experience working with young people with BESD or ASD in a school or care setting you will understand our young peoples developmental needs and what pastoral care entails. A good listener who can motivate and work in a team, you inspire young people to achieve. Flexibility and good organizational skills mean you’ll be an asset to the Witherslack Group.
Hartwell School is an independent specialist day school providing high quality education, based in Stockton-on-Tees. The school meets the needs of a diverse group of pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, alongside a range of other associated conditions. The recent Ofsted rating of Good has established the school as one of the leading specialist provisions in the North East.
We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:
- Training: A full induction and on the job training
- Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays
- Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our head teachers and leaders have been promoted from within our group
- Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance
- Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
- Medical cover: so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
- A recommend a friend scheme: that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
- Contributory pension scheme: matched up to 5%
Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. You’ll be more than a Pastoral Assistant, you’ll be able to connect with our pupils because of:
- Previous experience with ASC, ADHD or SEMH pupils and with working with families in challenging circumstances and expertise to support and resolve difficulties
- Experience of multi-agency work with an understanding of legislation, policies and guidance around safeguarding and child protection
- Ideally - NVQ 3 in Care/Level 2 Teaching Assistant Qualification
Our young people deserve the best possible future and we feel the same about our teams. You deserve to have the career you want, with a purpose-led employer, in an environment that allows you to be yourself. The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
Pastoral Assistant employer: Witherslack Group Ltd.
At Witherslack Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values the contributions of every team member. Located in Stockton-on-Tees, our Hartwell School provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people with complex needs, backed by excellent benefits, comprehensive training, and clear pathways for career progression. Join us to be part of a dedicated team where your passion for pastoral care can truly flourish, and where you will be rewarded for your hard work and commitment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education and care sectors, especially those who work with young people with SEMH or ASD. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at interviews or networking events, let your enthusiasm for supporting young people shine through. Share stories of how you've made a difference in their lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the unexpected! In interviews, be ready for scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you’ve successfully supported young people with challenging needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission to support young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastoral Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives, especially those with complex needs.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have working with children who have SEMH or ASD. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Yourself:We value authenticity, so don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. Share your unique approach to pastoral care and how you connect with young people.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get you one step closer to joining our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group Ltd.
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the specific needs of young people with SEMH and ASC. Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and policies around safeguarding and child protection. This knowledge will show that you're serious about the role and ready to make a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience working with children who have complex emotional and behavioural needs. Share specific examples of how you've supported these young people and worked with families. This will demonstrate your capability and passion for pastoral care.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with others. The role requires flexibility and good organisational skills, so be ready to talk about times when you've successfully worked as part of a team to support young people. This will show that you can contribute positively to the Witherslack Group environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of the interview. This could be about the school's approach to supporting students or how they measure success in pastoral care. Asking questions shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
