Pastoral Practitioner

JR United Kingdom; Southampton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent special school in Southampton is seeking a Pastoral Practitioner to provide 1:1 mentoring and support for students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. This role involves collaborating with teaching staff and parents to ensure pupils achieve their potential through targeted interventions. The school offers a supportive environment and a commitment to staff wellbeing, including participation in a trial of a 4-Day Working Week.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with options to increase contributions

Access to mental health support and physical health checks

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave and fertility treatment support

Qualifications

• At least 12 months experience as a Pastoral Support in a school or similar setting.
• Experience working with young people with SEN.
• Ability to lead and model positive behaviour management.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all students.
• Liaise with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure pupils in need of support receive appropriate help.
• Manage rewards and sanctions for pupils, implementing suitable and consistent interventions.

Skills

Behaviour Management

Mentoring

Support for SEN

Job description

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How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Location: Dibden Park School, Southampton SO45 5TD

Salary: Up to £25,000.00 per annum depending on experience (not pro rata)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Pastoral Practitioner to join our close-knit team at Dibden Park School, part of Acorn Education.

About the role

The purpose of the Pastoral Practitioner is to work alongside teaching staff, parents/carers, and pupils; providing 1:1 mentoring and/or tutoring to specific pupils. The work aims to ensure that every pupil achieves their potential through targeted support and intervention, working with the school’s Senior Leadership Team.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all students
• Liaise with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure pupils in need of support receive appropriate help
• Assist and support pupils during learning sessions, break times, and lunchtimes; managing pupil behaviour, lunchtime activities, and rewards
• Participate in relevant meetings to assist with pupil welfare, e.g., review meetings with parents/carers and external agencies
• Manage rewards and sanctions for pupils, implementing suitable and consistent interventions
• Provide feedback and liaise with parents/carers where applicable
• Offer support and advice to parents/carers and signpost to available services

Who we are looking for

You will be a passionate practitioner with the following attributes/qualifications:

• At least 12 months experience as a Pastoral Support in a school or similar setting, especially with challenging behaviour
• Experience working with young people with SEN
• Ability to lead and model positive behaviour management

About Us

Dibden Park School is a new school in Southampton, catering to students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. This is an exciting opportunity to grow with a new team in an independent special school.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education, part of Outcomes First Group, dedicated to setting innovative approaches that deliver measurable outcomes.

In 2024, Outcomes First Group was officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth consecutive year.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important, so you’ll receive an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to mental health support and physical health checks

Through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, you can choose benefits such as:

• A variety of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• Discount options in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and fertility treatment support

We place the outcomes of our pupils at the heart of everything, ensuring your role positively impacts lives daily.

We are committed to safeguarding and promote pupil welfare. All applicants will undergo social media checks and a fully enhanced DBS.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay. The 4DWW is subject to successful probation and is not a contractual benefit.