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 and care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Transportation from Chigwell and Woodford Station available; enhanced DBS check required.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a supportive, diverse environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with ASC, ADHD, or SEMH pupils; NVQ 3 in Care preferred.
The predicted salary is between 24600 - 28400 £ per year.
£31,975 – £35,369 + excellent benefits
Those Huge Small Victories
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.
Get out what you put in
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.
One of the best environments in SEND
Luxborough Court School is a brand-new, purpose-built school registered for 150 pupils aged 5 – 19 with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. There is a large sports hall with changing facilities (the site was formally a Premier League football club’s training ground), a bespoke 6th form suite plus a number of other smaller individual spaces used for therapeutic intervention and bespoke support. The School benefits from extensive outdoor space plus a large central courtyard garden in the centre of the school and separate secondary and junior playgrounds, with a multi-use games area.
There are good public transport connections with Chigwell Station less than a mile away, providing Central Line Tube services to London and Essex. The road links are good – the site is located near the M11, Junction 4.
What we do for you
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 – check out our benefits here
-
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 – check out our schools here
-
A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
-
Contributory pension scheme – matched up to 5%
Bring your whole-self to work
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
Interested in joining us?
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.
For a full job description and person specification, please see the attached document.
For a full job description and person specification, please click here.
To view our ex-offenders policy please click here.
To view our Child Protection Policy, please visit the \’Parents and Carers\’ section of this School/Learning centre. You can find all our Schools here.
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 young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health challenges. Understanding these conditions will help you demonstrate your ability to connect with the students and show that you're genuinely passionate about providing the right support.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience you have working in a school or care setting, especially with children who have complex emotional needs. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully supported young people in similar situations during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your teamwork and communication skills, as these are crucial for collaborating with families and other professionals. Think of instances where you've worked effectively in a team to achieve positive outcomes for young people.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Witherslack Group and their approach to pastoral care. Being knowledgeable about their values and practices will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate why you want to be part of their team.
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. Emphasise any qualifications or training related to ASC, ADHD, or SEMH, as well as your ability to work in a team and motivate young people.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for pastoral care and your understanding of the challenges faced by young people with special educational needs. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to the Witherslack Group's mission.
Highlight Your Skills: In your application, make sure to mention key skills such as flexibility, organisational abilities, and your experience with multi-agency work. These are crucial for the role and will help you stand out as a candidate who can thrive in this environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Pastoral Care 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.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience working with children who have ASC, ADHD, or SEMH needs. Highlight any specific strategies you've used to support their development and how you've worked with families in challenging circumstances.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working closely with other staff and multi-agency teams, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past roles. Emphasise your ability to motivate and inspire young people as part of a team.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might ask about the training opportunities available or how the school supports its staff's wellbeing.