At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support staff in creating positive environments for children with complex needs.
- Company: Join Witherslack Group, a leader in special education and care.
- Benefits: Up to £39,862 salary, 10 weeks holiday, and excellent wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in Special Educational Needs and knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support required.
The predicted salary is between 26116 - 28000 £ per year.
Up to £39,862 + 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. As a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Lead you will focus on supporting staff teams to create capable environments where our young people can thrive. Our teams are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things.
As a PBS lead, you will be assisting with the development, organisation, and delivery of a high-quality Positive Behaviour Support approach allowing children to develop the skills they need to enjoy the best quality of life possible. Co-production will be a key part of your role, working in partnership with children and their families to identify any individual support needs, challenges impacting on their quality of life and develop effective individualised plans.
As a practice leader, you will ensure our staff teams benefit from the delivery of person-centred PBS training, the role modelling of good practice and coaching relating to individualised plans.
Opening in September 2026, Turner Court is a purpose built, brand new, state of the art Primary school. The school will cater for up to 50 pupils with a wide range of needs including autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. This new exciting opportunity serves Bristol and the wider communities, you are at the heart of its development. Our aim is to ensure that every pupil has an outstanding educational experience with individual pupil progress and care at the heart of what is offered.
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:
- Salary: Up to £39,862 (Dependent upon experience)
- Training: A full induction and on-the-job training
- Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with 10 weeks of annual leave (Please note, you will be required to take these in line with school holidays)
- Progression: If career development is your thing, we offer the opportunity to complete continued professional development through our annual performance review process.
- Flexible benefits package: 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 optician's or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
- Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities
- Recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
- Contributory pension scheme – matched up to 5%
Our young people have very diverse backgrounds and all have different needs. Our workforce reflects diversity so our teams can engage, encourage, and inspire them to be themselves. We are looking for:
- A minimum of three years’ experience supporting individuals with Special Educational Needs
- A relevant qualification (SEN/Health & Social Care)
- In-depth knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
- Understanding of individual behaviour support plans, young person risk assessments and targeted support
- Experience of identifying and delivering training needs
- Extensive experience of working in partnership with young people and their families
- Ability to support others to understand behaviours and collaborate to create and implement proactive strategies
- You’re also highly organised and ready to take the initiative
- We genuinely care about our young people (and each other) so honesty and empathy is a must
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 and 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.
PBS Lead in Bristol employer: Witherslack Group
Witherslack Group is an exceptional employer located in Wythenshawe, dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment for professionals passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salaries and extensive training opportunities, ensuring that our employees can grow both personally and professionally while celebrating the small victories of our students together.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PBS Lead 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 Witherslack Group.
✨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 Witherslack Group!
✨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 Witherslack Group, 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 Witherslack Group 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 PBS Lead 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 Witherslack Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Witherslack Group! 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 Witherslack Group
✨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.
