Deputy Pastoral Care Manager in Sunderland

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 Manager you’ll take the lead in enabling your team to 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, working with families and developing programmes 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 people’s developmental needs and what pastoral care entails. A good listener who can motivate your team, you inspire young people to achieve. Flexibility, good organisational skills and the ability to successfully manage a team means you’ll be an asset to the Witherslack Group.

You’ll be joining Ashbrooke School, one of the leading SEN settings in the North East. A purpose‑built school with specialist classrooms, extensive grounds and sporting facilities, plus a purpose‑built primary provision – Ashbrooke supports young people with ADHD, ASD, SEMH and SLCN.

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 such as an optician’s or dentist appointment and a host of high‑street discounts
• Beautiful working environments: with the very best facilities
• 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 Manager, you’ll be able to connect with our pupils because of:

• Minimum of 3 years’ 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
• NVQ 3 in Care/Level 2 Teaching Assistant Qualification
• Ideally – Leadership related Qualification
• Experience of staff appraisal/performance management and supervision

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong. As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality, championing difference – especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way. By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

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.