Teaching Assistant - Level 2 Ref. TV20236

The Shepwell School; Walsall; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

Shepwell Short Stay School is seeking a Level 2 Pastoral/Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team. You will provide high-quality lesson-based support plus pastoral care to students with complex needs, including mental health challenges, autism and ADHD.

The role involves working with staff, parents and external agencies to promote wellbeing, attendance and academic progress, while maintaining safeguarding and confidential records. Fixed-term 1 year from start.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, staff and families.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to inclusion, equality and student wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality lesson-based support including pastoral care and wellbeing.
• Promote student wellbeing, attendance and behaviour.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records and SEN logs.
• Liaise with staff, parents/carers and external agencies as needed.
• Support transitions and inclusion across the school community.

Skills

Experience with children

Interpersonal communication

Relationship building

Safeguarding understanding

Organisation & record-keeping

Independent & team work

Inclusion & wellbeing

Job description

Shepwell Satellite - Teaching Assistant - Level 2

Salary £18,650 - £20,195

Start Date: ASAP (1 year fixed term in the first instance)

Do you have the motivation, patience and skills to work with young people with complex needs, including mental health difficulties, autism and ADHD, to help them overcome the challenges they face and enable them to achieve their potential?

Shepwell Short Stay School is a progressive and vibrant learning community that focuses on raising the aspirations and potential of every pupil. We are seeking a caring, committed and enthusiastic Level 2 Pastoral/Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team and support our young people in achieving positive educational and personal outcomes.

The ideal person will join our already established and strong team to bring further support to our young people. What is the main purpose of the role?

To provide high-quality lesson based support including high quality pastoral care and support that promotes students' wellbeing, personal development, attendance, behaviour, and academic success. The post holder will work collaboratively with staff, parents/carers, and external agencies to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and able to achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

Student Wellbeing

• Provide pastoral care to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, or personal difficulties.
• Build positive relationships that encourage resilience, confidence, and self-esteem.
• Support students in managing challenges that may affect learning and attendance.
• Promote independence in lessons and support engagement with tasks and teachers supporting to overcome barriers.

Behaviour and Attendance

• Promote positive behaviour in line with the school's behaviour policy.
• Monitor attendance and punctuality, identifying concerns and implementing appropriate interventions.
• Liaise with staff and then families regarding attendance, behaviour, and welfare concerns.

Safeguarding

• Promote and maintain a culture of safeguarding and student welfare.
• Report safeguarding concerns promptly in accordance with school procedures.
• Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to support vulnerable students.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely records.

Family and Community Engagement

• Develop positive relationships with parents and carers.
• Signpost families to appropriate support services where required.
• Work with families to discuss pupil progress and developments related to all aspects of pupil development.

Student Development

• Encourage positive attitudes towards learning.
• Support integration into lessons, accompanying when needed to support anxiety.
• Promote inclusion, equality, diversity, and respect throughout the school community.
• Assist with transition arrangements for new students where appropriate.

Record Keeping and Administration

• Maintain accurate SEN records and relevant logs such as intervention or 1:1 work.
• Monitor student progress and evaluate the impact of support.
• Produce reports and documentation as required.

General Responsibilities

• Support school events and activities where appropriate.
• Attend relevant meetings and professional development.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR requirements.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post as directed by senior leaders.

Are you the right person?

Essential

• Experience working with children or young people.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to inclusion, equality, and student wellbeing.

Desirable

• Experience in a school pastoral or behaviour support role ideally with young people of secondary age with neurodiversity and/or anxiety.
• Knowledge of attendance and behaviour management systems.
• Mental Health First Aid or equivalent training or willingness to undertake this.
• Experience working with external agencies.

Personal Qualities

• Compassionate and approachable, flexibility, calm under pressure, resilient and adaptable, professional and trustworthy, positive role model who is committed to an ethos of kindness within the school setting, committed to helping every student succeed.

What you will get from us:

• A supportive and friendly team who will be committed to your growth and development.
• Joining a school that is on a growth journey and expanding which brings many exciting opportunities
• A commitment to staff wellbeing
• An approach that is committed to care and compassion of one another
• Flexible working and reasonable adjustments are a priority to support family life for all
• Pupils who are wanting to learn and engaged in their school life.
• Being part of an exciting initiative with the first secondary SEMH satellite within Walsall borough.

Shepwell School welcomes applications from all sections of the community irrespective of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.

The staff and management committee Shepwell School are committed to protecting and safeguarding all their pupils to ensure, as far as possible, that they are free from harm. As part of the safeguarding process, the successful candidate must have full enhanced DBS clearance to work in the school and will not be able to take up their appointment until all pre-employment checks have been completed.

A copy of the school's safeguarding policy/guidelines is available on the school website. There will be questions on this at interview.