Student Support Lead — Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

S Knights Recruitment; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

S Knights Recruitment in Ipswich is seeking a Student Support Lead to oversee pastoral care and support for learners on Study Programmes. This hands-on leadership role combines student support, safeguarding, attendance and wellbeing with team management.

You will lead the Student Support team, provide direct pastoral and welfare support, monitor attendance and liaise with external agencies to ensure a safe, inclusive learning environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in student support, pastoral care, learner support, student welfare or a similar role within education or training.
• Experience supporting young people, ideally within post-16, FE, Study Programme or a similar educational environment.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, Prevent, wellbeing, equality and diversity and the support needs of young people.
• Experience monitoring attendance, punctuality and learner engagement, with the ability to implement appropriate interventions.
• Strong communication, listening, coaching, influencing and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of SEND and EHCPs, with experience working alongside families and external support services desirable.
• Good administrative, ICT, organisational and reporting skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a wider education team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Student Support team, providing guidance, one-to-ones, reviews, CPD and ongoing support.
• Provide direct pastoral and student support covering personal, academic, financial, disability, learning difficulty, mental health and wellbeing concerns.
• Monitor and respond to safeguarding and welfare concerns, ensuring appropriate actions, referrals and records are completed in line with policies and procedures.
• Monitor, analyse and report on learner attendance and punctuality, identifying trends and implementing interventions to reduce persistent absence.
• Work closely with the wider delivery team on learner engagement, interviews, initial assessment, induction and ongoing support.
• Provide information, advice and guidance (IAG/CEIAG) throughout the learner journey and attend EHCP reviews and relevant meetings.
• Build effective relationships with external agencies including Social Workers, Young Persons Workers, Family Support and Mental Health services.
• Chair regular Student Support meetings covering attendance, punctuality, safeguarding, wellbeing and learner concerns.
• Work with the Head of Education and DSL to ensure student support, safeguarding and related policies and practices remain effective and up to date.
• Contribute to learner progress reporting, support materials and the wider development of an inclusive, safe and positive learning environment.

Skills

Pastoral care

Student support

Attendance monitoring

Wellbeing support

Team management

Communication skills

CPD

ICT

Tools

ICT

Job description

S Knights Recruitment in Ipswich is seeking a Student Support Lead to oversee pastoral care and support for learners on Study Programmes. This hands-on leadership role combines student support, safeguarding, attendance and wellbeing with team management.

You will lead the Student Support team, provide direct pastoral and welfare support, monitor attendance and liaise with external agencies to ensure a safe, inclusive learning environment.