Job description
Pastoral Lead
Heybridge
Full-Time | Permanent Position
Scale 6 (Point 14–18)
Are you passionate about supporting young people and helping them overcome barriers to education and personal development?
Do you thrive in a role where every day brings the opportunity to positively impact pupils’ lives, wellbeing, behaviour, and future outcomes?
A specialist educational setting in Heybridge is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and proactive Pastoral Lead to join their dedicated pastoral team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every pupil feels valued, understood, and empowered to succeed.
The successful candidate will become a key figure within the school community, working closely with pupils, families, safeguarding teams, senior leaders, and external agencies to provide tailored support and intervention strategies that improve attendance, engagement, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing.
This role is ideal for experienced Pastoral Leads, Behaviour Mentors, Inclusion Officers, Youth Workers, Family Liaison Officers, SEN professionals, or individuals with strong experience supporting children and young people within education, care, or specialist settings.
About the Role
As Pastoral Lead, you will play a central role in ensuring pupils receive the guidance, structure, and support they need both inside and outside the classroom. You will act as a strong advocate for pupils while building positive relationships that help them feel safe, motivated, and fully supported throughout their educational journey.
You will contribute towards promoting a positive behaviour culture across the school through therapeutic and trauma-informed practices, helping pupils regulate emotions, engage with learning, and achieve their potential.
This is a highly rewarding position where you will have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.
Key Responsibilities
✓ Manage and monitor a dedicated caseload of pupils, ensuring support plans and interventions are effective and impactful.
✓ Maintain a strong and visible presence across the school, supporting pupils during transitions and throughout the school day.
✓ Build positive and trusting relationships with pupils, becoming a consistent and supportive role model.
✓ Support pupils with SEMH needs, behavioural challenges, attendance concerns, and additional vulnerabilities.
✓ Implement trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches to behaviour and emotional regulation.
✓ Work closely with safeguarding teams to identify risks, address concerns promptly, and promote pupil wellbeing.
✓ Coordinate effectively with parents, carers, social care teams, local authorities, educational psychologists, and external agencies.
✓ Attend and lead multi-agency meetings where required to ensure the best outcomes for pupils.
✓ Monitor and analyse behaviour, attendance, and personal development data to identify trends and implement proactive interventions.
✓ Support reintegration pathways and bespoke support plans for pupils requiring additional intervention.
✓ Promote pupil voice and contribute towards developing a positive, inclusive, and nurturing school culture.
✓ Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records using school systems and safeguarding platforms.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have
✓ Previous experience working with children or young people within education, SEN, social care, youth work, or alternative provision settings.
✓ Experience managing challenging behaviour and supporting pupils with SEMH, ASD, ADHD, trauma, or additional needs.
✓ A strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
✓ Excellent communication skills and the ability to build rapport with pupils, families, and professionals.
✓ The ability to remain calm, resilient, and solution-focused within challenging situations.
✓ Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
✓ A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable pupils and improving educational outcomes.
✓ GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent.
Desirable Experience & Qualifications
✓ Experience within specialist SEND or alternative provision environments.
✓ Knowledge of Therapeutic Thinking or trauma-informed approaches.
✓ Experience leading interventions, pupil support strategies, or multi-agency meetings.
✓ Relevant qualifications in Youth Work, Counselling, Education, Social Care, or related fields.
✓ Experience using school systems such as Arbor or MyConcern.
Why Apply?
✨ Join a supportive and collaborative school environment where staff wellbeing is valued.
✨ Opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on pupils’ lives.
✨ Ongoing CPD and professional development opportunities.
✨ Be part of a passionate team dedicated to inclusion, safeguarding, and pupil success.
✨ A rewarding and varied role where every day brings new opportunities to support and inspire young people.
Safeguarding Statement
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references, right-to-work checks, and all relevant pre-employment safeguarding checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidelines.
If you are a resilient, caring, and motivated professional looking to make a real difference within education, we would love to hear from you.