At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with emotional needs and create positive learning environments.
- Company: Join Witherslack Group, renowned for excellence in special education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, full school holidays, training, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: Experience with BESD or ASD required; NVQ 3 in Care preferred.
- Other info: Diverse team environment; career progression opportunities available.
The predicted salary is between 22700 - 27800 £ per year.
£27,520 - £31,849 + 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.
Queensmead House School is located on a historic site with views of Windsor Castle. This inspiring setting, with a rich heritage of education, is now home to a specialist learning environment recently rated Good by Ofsted.
QHS is an independent specialist day school, with both primary and secondary settings providing high quality education. The school meets the needs of a diverse group of pupils with complex educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviours.
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
- 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 Care Assistant employer: Witherslack Group
Contact Detail:
Witherslack Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Care Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with BESD and ASD. Understanding their emotional and behavioural challenges will help you demonstrate your capability to support them effectively during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience working in multi-agency settings. This shows that you can collaborate with various professionals to create a supportive environment for young people, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of how you've successfully motivated young people in challenging situations. Sharing these stories can illustrate your ability to inspire and connect with students, which is key for a Pastoral Care Assistant.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Witherslack Group's values and mission. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs will show your genuine interest in the role and commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastoral Care Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Pastoral Care Assistant position. Understand the specific needs of the young people you will be supporting and how your experience aligns with those requirements.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience working with children who have complex emotional and behavioural needs. Include specific examples of how you've supported young people in similar settings, focusing on your skills in pastoral care.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with young people and your understanding of their needs. Mention any relevant qualifications, such as NVQ 3 in Care or Level 2 Teaching Assistant Qualification, and explain how you can contribute to the Witherslack Group's mission.
Highlight Teamwork and Flexibility: In your application, emphasise your ability to work collaboratively within a team and your flexibility in adapting to the needs of the young people. Provide examples of how you've successfully motivated and inspired young people in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Show Your Passion for Pastoral Care
Make sure to express your genuine passion for working with young people, especially those with complex emotional and behavioural needs. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of Individual Needs
Be prepared to discuss how you would assess and meet the individual needs of young people. Familiarise yourself with strategies for supporting those with ASC, ADHD, or SEMH, and be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully implemented these in the past.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Communication Skills
Since collaboration is key in pastoral care, emphasise your ability to work effectively within a team. Discuss your experience in multi-agency work and how you communicate with families and other professionals to support young people's development.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role and Environment
Show your interest in the position by preparing thoughtful questions about the school's approach to pastoral care and the specific challenges faced by the students. This demonstrates your proactive attitude and eagerness to contribute positively to the environment.