Pastoral Assistant - Key Responsibilities :

Student Well-Being & Support :

• Provide day-to-day pastoral support to students, offering guidance and emotional support as needed. 

• Build positive relationships with students, helping them navigate academic, social, and personal challenges. 

• Support students during difficult situations, including mental health concerns, bullying incidents, or family-related issues. 

• Refer students to the appropriate professionals, such as counselors or external agencies, when necessary. 

• Monitor and support students' attendance and punctuality, following up on unexplained absences and offering support as needed. 

• Assist with the transition of students between year groups or into the school. 

Behavior and Conduct :

• Work with students to promote positive behavior, ensuring adherence to the school's code of conduct and disciplinary policies. 

• Support students in developing positive social skills and conflict-resolution techniques. 

• Assist teachers in managing student behavior, supporting the implementation of behavior management plans when necessary. 

• Help create and maintain a positive school culture, supporting inclusivity, respect, and responsibility. 

Mentorship & Guidance :

• Act as a mentor to students, providing a listening ear and offering advice or guidance on personal development, friendships, and school life. 

• Assist with academic and personal goal setting, helping students build resilience, motivation, and self-esteem. 

• Coordinate or support small group mentoring sessions or peer-support programs for students. 

• Promote student leadership and personal development opportunities, such as through student councils or other extracurricular activities. 

Liaison and Communication :

• Communicate regularly with parents, guardians, and families regarding students’ well-being, behavior, and academic progress. 

• Work closely with teaching staff, counselors, and other pastoral staff to provide holistic support to students. 

• Support school communication, including newsletters, letters to parents, or updates on pastoral care initiatives. 

Pastoral Programs and Events :

• Assist in the planning and implementation of pastoral programs, events, and workshops that support students’ emotional, social, and academic growth. 

• Organize and support extracurricular activities that promote student engagement, including clubs, team-building events, or awareness campaigns (e.g., mental health days, anti-bullying programs). 

• Contribute to the delivery of assemblies, workshops, and pastoral curriculum lessons on topics such as mental health, wellbeing, relationships, and citizenship. 

Student Safeguarding :

• Be vigilant for signs of safeguarding issues and follow the school’s safeguarding policies to protect students from harm. 

• Report any concerns about a student’s welfare to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in a timely and appropriate manner. 

• Attend safeguarding and child protection training to stay current on relevant protocols and procedures. 

Administrative Support :

• Maintain accurate records of pastoral support and interventions, documenting concerns, meetings, and outcomes. 

• Assist with the preparation of reports on students’ progress, welfare, and behavior for pastoral meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and other school-related purposes. 

• Help manage student records, ensuring they are up-to-date and confidential.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience 

Qualifications :

• A minimum of a high school diploma (or equivalent) is required. 

• A degree or diploma in Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field is highly preferred. 

• Previous experience working with young people in an educational or pastoral setting is preferred. 

Skills :

• The ability to develop good personal relationships within a team. 

• An effective and experienced communicator (written and verbal) to a variety of audiences. 

• High level of IT competency.