Pastoral Leader

Empowering Learning; Colchester; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ongoing PD

Safeguarding training

Inclusion culture

Pupil wellbeing focus

Job summary

Empowering Learning partners with a specialist educational provision in Colchester to recruit a Pastoral Lead on a full-time permanent basis. The role focuses on improving outcomes for pupils with additional needs by promoting positive behaviour, supporting attendance and emotional wellbeing, and coordinating interventions with families and external agencies.

Salary is Scale 6 (pts 14-18) £25,325 to £27,037 per annum, with ongoing professional development opportunities and a values-led culture

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people in education, youth work, social care or a similar setting.
• Strong behaviour management and de-escalation skills.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding and Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
• Knowledge of SEND and trauma-informed approaches.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with families and multi-agency professionals.
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
• GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Manage and support a caseload of pupils, monitoring progress and interventions
• Promote positive behaviour for learning and support pupil wellbeing
• Support reintegration into mainstream or specialist educational settings where appropriate
• Maintain a visible presence across the school to support pupil engagement and transitions
• Lead and develop pupil leadership opportunities and pupil voice initiatives
• Work closely with safeguarding leads to identify and respond to concerns
• Contribute to Therapeutic Thinking approaches, Harm Reduction Plans and risk management strategies
• Liaise effectively with parents, carers and external professionals including Social Care and Local Authority teams
• Monitor attendance and behaviour data to identify trends and implement early interventions
• Maintain accurate and compliant digital records

Skills

Behaviour management

De-escalation skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Organisation and record-keeping

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent

Tools

Arbor

MyConcern

Job description

Pastoral Lead
Full Time | Permanent
Salary: Scale 6, Points 14 to 18 (£25,325 to £27,037 per annum)
Location: Colchester

We are recruiting on behalf of a client for an experienced and motivated Pastoral Lead to join a specialist educational provision supporting children and young people with additional needs.

This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate pastoral professional to play a key role in improving outcomes for pupils by promoting positive behaviour, strengthening attendance and supporting emotional wellbeing.

About the Role

The Pastoral Lead will act as a visible and trusted presence within the school community, supporting pupils to overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential.

You will work closely with pupils, families, school staff and external agencies to coordinate targeted interventions, improve engagement and maintain a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

The successful candidate will be proactive, resilient and highly organised, with the ability to build strong relationships and remain calm under pressure.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and support a caseload of pupils, monitoring progress and interventions
• Promote positive behaviour for learning and support pupil wellbeing
• Support reintegration into mainstream or specialist educational settings where appropriate
• Maintain a visible presence across the school to support pupil engagement and transitions
• Lead and develop pupil leadership opportunities and pupil voice initiatives
• Work closely with safeguarding leads to identify and respond to concerns
• Contribute to Therapeutic Thinking approaches, Harm Reduction Plans and risk management strategies
• Liaise effectively with parents, carers and external professionals including Social Care and Local Authority teams
• Monitor attendance and behaviour data to identify trends and implement early interventions
• Maintain accurate and compliant digital records

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience working with children or young people in education, youth work, social care or a similar setting
• Strong behaviour management and de-escalation skills
• A sound understanding of safeguarding and Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance
• Knowledge of SEND and trauma-informed approaches
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• The ability to work collaboratively with families and multi-agency professionals
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills
• GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalentThe following would be advantageous:

Advantages

• Experience within alternative provision or specialist SEND settings
• Relevant Level 3 or Level 4 qualifications in Youth Work, Education, Social Care or related fields
• Experience leading multi-agency meetings
• Knowledge of systems such as Arbor or MyConcern
• Therapeutic Thinking or trauma-informed practice training

What's on Offer

• A supportive and collaborative working environment
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable young people
• A values-led culture focused on inclusion, wellbeing and pupil success

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse professional backgrounds and lived experiences who are committed to inclusive education and safeguarding children.

All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, medical clearance and safer recruitment procedures in line with safeguarding requirements.

INDELSEC