Student Support Worker

eTeach UK Limited; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fringe allowance £729

LGPS

On-site parking

Cycle to Work

Wellbeing days

Free flu vaccinations

Refer-a-friend up to £500

Induction & training

Job summary

Hawthorn Academy seeks a caring Student Support Worker to provide pastoral support and help pupils aged 11-16 with SEMH needs overcome challenges and re-engage with learning. You will create a calm hub, use de-escalation techniques and run one-to-one/group sessions, building trusted relationships with pupils and collaborating with staff.

The role requires empathy, resilience and commitment to safeguarding in a trauma-informed, nurturing environment within The Propeller Academy Trust.

Qualifications

• Pastoral support experience with children/young people
• Experience with SEMH needs
• Ability to build trusting relationships and maintain calm under pressure
• Strong communication skills and teamwork
• Commitment to safeguarding and inclusive practice

Responsibilities

• Provide immediate, on-call pastoral support to pupils in distress.
• Create a calm, safe environment in the Student Support Hub.
• Use de-escalation and emotional regulation techniques.
• Deliver one-to-one and small-group sessions on emotional awareness and social skills.
• Support pupils to return to lessons and re-engage with learning.
• Build trusting relationships and respond with empathy.
• Facilitate restorative conversations and reflections.
• Work with staff to provide coordinated pastoral support.
• Maintain records and support pupil plans.
• Uphold safeguarding and promote wellbeing for every pupil

Skills

Pastoral support

Emotional regulation

De-escalation

Restorative approaches

Small-group sessions

Building relationships

Teamwork

GCSE English & Maths 4/C

Education

GCSE English and Maths 4/C or equivalent

Team Teach trained or willing to undertake training

Job description

‘Reigniting Learning, Nurture, Connect, Thrive’Hawthorn Academy is looking for a caring, resilient and motivated Student Support Worker to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about supporting young people to overcome challenges, develop emotional resilience and re-engage with learning. You will play a key role in providing pastoral support, helping pupils build positive relationships, regulate their emotions and develop the confidence to thrive.Hawthorn Academy is part of The Propeller Academy Trust and provides a nurturing, trauma-informed environment for pupils aged 11-16 with SEMH needs. We are a caring community built on trust, respect, and understanding. Our staff are dedicated, compassionate and committed to helping every young person grow emotionally, socially and academically. We offer a supportive, highly resourced setting where you can develop professionally and make a real impact.

What we Offer

• Competitive salary + £729 Fringe Allowance
• Full induction programme and ongoing SEMH and trauma informed training
• Paid wellbeing days, free flu vaccinations and on-site parking
• Flexible working options (part-time or job share considered)
• Local Government Pension (LGPS)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Refer-a-friend scheme (earn up to £500)
• Supportive, highly skilled staff team and therapeutic school culture

About the Role

• Provide immediate, on-call pastoral support to pupils experiencing emotional distress, dysregulation or difficulties engaging in the classroom.
• Create a calm, safe and welcoming environment within the Student Support Hub, helping pupils feel supported and understood.
• Use de-escalation, emotional regulation and restorative approaches to support pupils during challenging moments.
• Deliver planned one-to-one and small-group sessions focusing on emotional awareness, social skills, friendships, coping strategies and positive identity.
• Support pupils to return to lessons and re-engage with learning in a positive and restorative way.
• Build trusting relationships with pupils, recognising that behaviour can be a form of communication and responding with empathy rather than judgement.
• Facilitate restorative conversations and reflection sessions to help pupils understand the impact of their actions and repair relationships.
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff and school leaders to provide consistent, joined-up pastoral support.
• Maintain accurate records, contribute to pupil support plans and use behaviour data to inform interventions.
• Uphold safeguarding procedures and promote the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of every pupil.

About You

• Caring, patient, empathetic and emotionally resilient, with the ability to remain calm and supportive during challenging situations.
• Experience working with children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
• Build trusting relationships with pupils who may be anxious, dysregulated or reluctant to engage with school.
• You understand that behaviour can communicate unmet needs and are committed to responding with curiosity, compassion and consistency.
• Strong communication skills and can work effectively as part of a team.
• Confident, or willing to develop your skills, in using de-escalation strategies, emotional regulation techniques and restorative approaches.
• Committed to inclusive practice, safeguarding and promoting positive outcomes for every pupil.
• Reliable, flexible and able to respond calmly and professionally to changing pupil needs.
• Reflective, positive and solutions-focused, with a genuine passion for helping young people overcome barriers to learning.
• Hold GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or equivalent and are Team Teach trained, or willing to undertake the training.