Pastoral Support Assistant

Tradewind Recruitment LTD.; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full support from Tradewind throughout

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment is seeking a devoted Pastoral Support Assistant for a welcoming secondary school in Oldham. The role focuses on safeguarding, SEMH, and SEND support to help pupils feel safe and engaged.

The candidate will work with pastoral and teaching staff to foster resilience and positive learning experiences. The ideal candidate will have prior school experience, strong communication, and the ability to maintain professional boundaries in challenging situations.

Qualifications

• Must have prior experience working within a school or education setting.
• Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH and/or SEND.
• Ability to build positive relationships with pupils and staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day pastoral support to pupils across the school.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students.
• Support pupils with SEMH, anxiety, behavioural challenges or other barriers to learning.
• Support pupils with SEND and adapt approaches to individual needs.
• Encourage attendance and engagement with lessons and school life.
• Assist with behaviour and attendance strategies alongside staff.
• Provide one-to-one or small-group support where appropriate.
• Maintain records and contribute to monitoring pupil support.

Skills

Pastoral support

SEMH experience

SEND experience

Relationship building

Communication

Calm under pressure

Job description

Pastoral Support Assistant - Secondary School - Oldham

Location: Oldham
Start Date: ASAP
Pay Rate: 110- 130 per day, depending on prior experience
Agency: Tradewind Recruitment

Tradewind Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced and compassionate Pastoral Support Assistant to join a welcoming secondary school in Oldham, with an ASAP start.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced education professional who is passionate about supporting young people and has a strong understanding of the pastoral needs of secondary-aged pupils.

The school is looking for someone who can build positive relationships with pupils, provide consistent pastoral support and help young people overcome barriers to learning and engagement.

Please Note - School Experience Is Essential

Only applicants who have previous experience working within schools or the education sector will be considered for this position.

Applicants must have prior experience supporting children or young people with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs and/or SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

This experience may have been gained within:

• A mainstream secondary school.
• A specialist provision.
• An alternative provision.
• A SEND setting.
• A specialist SEMH environment.
• Another recognised education setting supporting pupils with additional needs.

Candidates without previous school or education-based experience will not be considered.

The Role

As a Pastoral Support Assistant, you will work closely with pupils who may experience a range of social, emotional, behavioural and additional learning needs.

You will play an important role in helping pupils feel safe, supported and ready to engage with their education. The successful candidate will be approachable and patient, whilst also being confident in maintaining appropriate boundaries and expectations.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing day-to-day pastoral support to pupils across the school.
• Building positive, trusting and professional relationships with students.
• Supporting pupils experiencing SEMH difficulties, anxiety, behavioural challenges or other barriers to learning.
• Working with pupils with SEND and adapting your approach according to individual needs.
• Supporting pupils who may struggle with emotional regulation or engagement.
• Helping students manage challenging situations and develop positive coping strategies.
• Encouraging pupils to attend lessons and engage positively with school life.
• Supporting behaviour and attendance strategies alongside teaching and pastoral staff.
• Providing one-to-one or small-group support where appropriate.
• Helping pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence.
• Working alongside the school's pastoral, safeguarding, SEND and senior leadership teams.
• Communicating effectively with teachers and other members of staff regarding pupil progress and wellbeing.
• Maintaining appropriate records and contributing to the monitoring of pupil support.
• Following school safeguarding, behaviour and confidentiality procedures at all times.
• Acting as a positive role model for pupils and promoting high expectations.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will have a genuine passion for supporting young people and understand that every pupil has different needs and circumstances.

You should be:

• Experienced working within a school or education setting.
• Experienced supporting children or young people with SEMH and/or SEND.
• Confident supporting pupils who may display challenging behaviour or emotional difficulties.
• Patient, empathetic and consistent in your approach.
• Able to establish positive relationships whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
• Resilient and able to remain calm in challenging situations.
• A confident communicator who can work effectively with pupils and colleagues.
• Proactive and willing to take initiative when supporting individual pupils.
• Understanding of safeguarding and the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
• Reliable, professional and committed to improving outcomes for young people.

Experience supporting pupils in a secondary school, specialist provision, SEND setting or SEMH environment would be particularly advantageous.

Pay & Start Date

• 110- 130 per day, depending on previous experience.
• ASAP start available.
• Full support from Tradewind Recruitment throughout your placement.
• Opportunity to work within a secondary school in the Oldham area.