At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with emotional needs and create positive learning environments.
- Company: Join Witherslack Group, a leader in specialist education with top OFSTED ratings.
- Benefits: Enjoy excellent salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: This role requires an enhanced DBS check, which we will cover.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a diverse and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with ASC, ADHD, or SEMH pupils; NVQ 3 in Care preferred.
The predicted salary is between 20400 - 28600 £ per year.
£24,404 - £28,624 + 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
- 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 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
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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Assistant in Stockton-on-Tees
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of young people with SEMH and ASD. Understanding their challenges will help you demonstrate your empathy and ability to connect with them during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience you have in multi-agency work. Being able to discuss how you've collaborated with other professionals to support young people will show that you can contribute effectively to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of how you've successfully motivated young people in challenging situations. This will showcase your skills in pastoral care and your ability to inspire and uplift students.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Witherslack Group's values and mission. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and commitment to their cause.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastoral Assistant in Stockton-on-Tees
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Pastoral Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of young people with complex emotional and behavioural challenges, as well as the importance of creating a supportive learning environment.
Tailor Your CV:Highlight your relevant experience working with children who have ASC, ADHD, or SEMH needs. Be specific about your roles and achievements in previous positions, especially those that demonstrate your ability to support and motivate young people.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for working with young people and your understanding of their unique needs. Share specific examples of how you've successfully supported individuals in the past and how you can contribute to the Witherslack Group's mission.
Showcase Your Qualifications:If you have an NVQ 3 in Care or a Level 2 Teaching Assistant Qualification, make sure to mention these prominently in your application. Also, include any relevant training or certifications that demonstrate your commitment to professional development in the field of education and care.
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Show Your Passion for Pastoral Care
Make sure to express your genuine passion for supporting young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs. Share personal experiences or anecdotes that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of SEN
Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of Special Educational Needs (SEN), particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) issues. Highlight any relevant experience you have working with these groups and how it has shaped your approach to pastoral care.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with families and multi-agency teams, showcase your ability to collaborate effectively. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked in a team setting to support young people and their families in the past.
✨Prepare Questions About Their Approach
Show your interest in the Witherslack Group by preparing thoughtful questions about their approach to pastoral care and how they support their staff. This demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role and your desire to align with their values and mission.
