Job description

GSL are seeking an experienced Pastoral Lead to support students in a specialist SEN school setting with identified needs including SEN (Special Educational Needs), SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health), ASD, ADHD and complex behavioural needs. This role involves leading on pastoral care, behaviour support, safeguarding and student wellbeing across the school.

You will work closely with senior leaders, SENCOs, teachers, support staff and external agencies to ensure students receive consistent, high-quality support that helps them overcome barriers to learning, improve emotional regulation, and achieve positive outcomes academically and personally.

If you are an experienced Pastoral Lead, Behaviour Lead, Head of Year, Learning Mentor, Behaviour Mentor, Youth Worker, Family Support Worker or Inclusion Lead, this role would be ideal for someone with strong experience in SEN, SEMH, safeguarding, behaviour management, attendance and student welfare.

You will have opportunities for professional development and will support students in a range of areas, including:

  • Leading on pastoral care, safeguarding and student wellbeing across the school
  • Overseeing behaviour systems, interventions and reintegration plans
  • Managing a caseload of students with SEND, SEMH and complex behavioural needs
  • Supporting attendance, engagement, emotional regulation and behaviour improvement
  • Working closely with families, carers and external agencies (Early Help, Social Care, CAMHS etc.)
  • Embedding trauma-informed, restorative and relationship-based approaches
  • Supporting staff with behaviour strategies, de-escalation and consistent practice
  • Contributing to a safe, structured, inclusive and supportive learning environment

As a Pastoral Lead, you will play a key role in shaping the school’s behaviour culture, safeguarding systems and inclusion strategy, ensuring every student is supported to thrive.

Pastoral Lead – SEN School – Education and Training – Maldon

Position: Pastoral Lead (Behaviour / Inclusion / Student Support)

Location: Maldon

Salary Scale: £92.59- £120 per day (or equivalent salary depending on experience)

Contract Type: Full-time

Responsibilities:

  • Lead on pastoral care, safeguarding and student wellbeing strategies
  • Oversee behaviour support, intervention plans and reintegration processes
  • Support students with SEN, SEMH, ASD, ADHD and complex needs
  • Manage a caseload of vulnerable pupils
  • Work closely with teachers, SENCOs, leadership teams and external agencies
  • Promote positive behaviour, attendance, engagement and emotional wellbeing
  • Implement trauma-informed, restorative and de-escalation approaches
  • Support staff consistency in behaviour and pastoral practice
  • Monitor student progress, wellbeing data and safeguarding concerns
  • Contribute to whole-school inclusion and safeguarding policies

Qualifications and Skills:

  • Experience in pastoral, behaviour or student support leadership roles
  • Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection
  • Experience supporting young people with SEND and SEMH needs
  • Strong communication, leadership and relationship-building skills
  • Calm, resilient and consistent approach to behaviour challenges
  • Ability to work effectively with families and external agencies
  • Passion for inclusion, wellbeing and improving outcomes for young people

What We Offer:

  • Competitive daily pay rates
  • Supportive SEN school environment with strong leadership team
  • Ongoing CPD in SEND, SEMH, safeguarding and pastoral leadership
  • Opportunity to lead behaviour, wellbeing and inclusion systems
  • Clear progression routes into senior leadership or specialist SEN roles
  • A rewarding role making a real impact on young people’s lives

This is a fantastic opportunity for a committed pastoral professional to support young people with additional needs, SEMH challenges and behavioural barriers, helping them feel safe, supported and able to succeed.

Please be advised that this role requires a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection and that successful applicants must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks including an enhanced DBS on the update service.

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply now' to submit your full and up-to-date CV, and one of our dedicated consultants will be in touch within 24 hours.