Student Welfare Assistant

MidKent College; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 20,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a part-time Student Welfare Assistant to provide essential welfare and mental health support to students. This role will offer hands-on assistance to children in care, focusing on their academic development and wellbeing while ensuring compliance with safeguarding regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting students' welfare and mental health.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and relevant legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day welfare and pastoral support to students.
• Assist in safeguarding procedures and maintain accurate welfare records.
• Support tailored mentoring for care-experienced students.

Skills

Emotional Support

Mental Health Awareness

Safeguarding

Welfare Case Management

Communication

Job description

We are looking for a Student Welfare Assistant to work with us on a part-time basis, on a 0.8 FTE.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Student Support Coordinator and the Student Welfare Officers, expanding the provision of emotional wellbeing and mental health support for students, complying with relevant Safeguarding legislation and good practice. They will also support Children in Care within the Virtual Schools Post 16 cohort of Year 12 & 13 students, to facilitate their progress in learning, personal development, and academic achievement.

Duties

The following outlines the main priorities of this role, as directed by your line manager, and is not an exhaustive list:

• Provide day-to-day welfare and pastoral support, including listening to and advising students on personal issues, referring them to appropriate services, and assisting with accessing wellbeing and mental health support, including signposting to counselling and external agencies. Maintain accurate welfare records and case notes.
• Assist in safeguarding procedures, report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and ensure policies are followed.
• Support students facing barriers to learning, such as mental health or financial issues, with tailored support.
• Offer mentoring for care-experienced students, supporting their learning and aspirations, monitoring progress, liaising with tutors, and supporting attendance and punctuality.
• Coordinate with the VSK Post 16 Educational Support Officer for each Child in Care.
• Understand and support the Personal Educational Plan (PEP), assisting in its timely preparation, ensuring SMART targets, and tracking progress.
• Attend PEP meetings with Welfare Officers, recording discussions on the Kent Electronic Portal (EPEP) system and other records.
• Develop knowledge of each Child in Care, recognizing welfare concerns and reporting them appropriately.
• Meet regularly with the College Care Experienced Coordinator and Virtual School Kent Education Support Officer to discuss progress, attainment, and attendance.