Pastoral Support Assistant

Isebrook School; Kettering; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Isebrook School seeks a compassionate Pastoral Support Assistant to join our dedicated pastoral team. You will work with students, families and external agencies to provide targeted support, remove barriers to learning and help pupils develop resilience and wellbeing.

We value a trauma-informed, relational approach and a Total Communication strategy. Training in Team Teach and other specialist approaches will be supported as part of our commitment to safeguarding and inclusive education.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people in a SEND or specialist setting.
• Ability to build positive, trusting and therapeutic relationships.
• Understanding the impact of trauma, attachment and additional needs on learning and behaviour.
• Commitment to a Rights Respecting, trauma-informed and relational approach.
• Support students with emotional regulation and wellbeing.
• Comfortable engaging with families and external professionals.
• Value student voice and promotes inclusion and participation.
• Willing to undertake training in Team Teach, Norfolk Steps and other specialist approaches used within the school.
• Remain calm, reflective and solution-focused in challenging situations.
• Safeguarding commitment and welfare of children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Providing individual and small-group pastoral support.
• Supporting students' emotional wellbeing, self-regulation and resilience.
• Implementing strategies from One Page Profiles, Stages of Distress Profiles, Positive Support Plans, Communication Passports and other student-centred documents.
• Using Thrive and trauma-informed approaches to remove barriers to learning.
• Supporting attendance, engagement and successful transitions.
• Working in partnership with families and external agencies.
• Contributing to safeguarding and welfare support for vulnerable students.
• Supporting students during educational visits and community activities.
• Using de-escalation, co-regulation and approved physical intervention strategies in line with school policy and training.

Skills

SEND experience

Relational skills

Trauma-informed

Total Communication

Team Teach training

Safeguarding

Family collaboration

Job description

Join Our Team at Isebrook School

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities?

Isebrook School is seeking a compassionate, resilient and highly relational Pastoral Support Assistant to join our dedicated pastoral team. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a school that places students' rights, wellbeing and relationships at the heart of everything we do.

As a Rights Respecting School, we are committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, valued, heard and respected. Through our trauma-informed, Thrive-informed and relational approach, we recognise that behaviour is communication and that positive relationships are the foundation for learning, wellbeing and success.

The successful candidate will work closely with students, families, school staff and external agencies to provide targeted pastoral support, remove barriers to learning and help students develop the skills, confidence and resilience they need to thrive.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Has experience of working with children and young people within a SEND or specialist setting.

• Can build positive, trusting and therapeutic relationships with students.

• Understands the impact of trauma, attachment and additional needs on learning and behaviour.

• Is committed to a Rights Respecting, trauma-informed and relational approach.

• Can support students with emotional regulation, wellbeing and positive engagement in school.

• Is confident working with families and a range of external professionals.

• Values student voice and promotes inclusion and participation

• Can use a Total Communication approach, including signing, symbols, Communication in Print and visual supports.

• Is willing to undertake training in Team Teach, Norfolk Steps and other specialist approaches used within the school.

• Can remain calm, reflective and solution-focused when working in challenging situations.

• Shares our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The Role Will Include:

• Providing individual and small-group pastoral support.

• Supporting students' emotional wellbeing, self-regulation and resilience.

• Implementing strategies from One Page Profiles, Stages of Distress Profiles, Positive Support Plans, Communication Passports and other student-centred documents.

• Using Thrive and trauma-informed approaches to remove barriers to learning.

• Supporting attendance, engagement and successful transitions.

• Working in partnership with families and external agencies.

• Contributing to safeguarding and welfare support for vulnerable students.

• Supporting students during educational visits and community activities.

• Using de-escalation, co-regulation and, where necessary, approved physical intervention strategies in line with school policy and training.

Why Join Isebrook?

At Isebrook School, we are proud of our inclusive, nurturing and ambitious culture. We believe every student has the right to feel safe, be safe and have a voice. We invest heavily in staff development and offer opportunities to develop expertise in SEND, trauma-informed practice, Thrive, safeguarding, communication and relational approaches.

If you are passionate about supporting young people and want to work as part of a dedicated and supportive team, we would love to hear from you.

Safeguarding Statement

Isebrook School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, online checks and all other safer recruitment checks.

Isebrook School is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a UNICEF UK Silver Rights Respecting School, we are committed to placing children’s rights, wellbeing and voice at the heart of everything we do. This award recognises our dedication to creating a safe, nurturing, inclusive and respectful environment where all students are valued, listened to and empowered to thrive.

Applications close Thursday 5th November 2026 - Mid day

Interviews on Tuesday 10th November 2026

Previous applicants need not apply