School Pastoral / Care Support Worker

Meadows School is a successful non-maintained special school (for 7-19 year olds) on a main campus and off-site junior provision run by Barnardo's, providing education for pupils with Social Emotional and Mental Health difficulties; Autistic Spectrum Conditions, Speech and Language difficulties and associated learning difficulties.

It is imperative that you have the passion for making a positive difference to the lives of the young people within the school and in building positive and supportive relationships. You should be a team player, resilient and motivated by challenge and have the ability to think creatively. You will need to be willing to work to Barnardo's Basis and Values and maintain Safeguarding as a core priority.

The successful candidate will evidence the skills and characteristics they have which they believe will benefit our student cohort and manage challenging behaviour. They will be able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and independently, enabling the students to make improved decision-making in their transitions through the school and into adult life. You will be expected to work across the school, at college/work experience placements and provide support for independent travel. This post requires an enhanced with barred list DBS check.

Key Requirements:

• The minimum qualification requirement is a Diploma/NVQ Level 3 Children's and Young People's Workforce (Social Care Pathway) or equivalent. For successful candidates without this level of qualification the expectation is that they will achieve this within their first two years of employment
• An understanding Child Protection/Safeguarding
• A full driving licence and agreement to transport young people in school vehicles and on public transport
• Able to communicate both orally and in writing with a range of audiences
• Ability to establish appropriate and trusting relationships with young people, their families and other professionals in a range of contexts
• Physical and mental resilience
• Willingness and ability to learn and apply behaviour management techniques
• A willingness to undertake further training

Benefits:

• Small class sizes
• Free school lunches and free on-site parking
• Excellent opportunities for relevant CPD
• Regular training provided
• Supportive staff team
• Pension scheme
• Barnardo's Benefits Portal
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and reward

You may be required to work anywhere within Meadows School (across Key Stages 2-5).

For further information on Meadows School in the first instance please consult the school website at: www.meadowsschool.org.uk or contact Vaughan Jackson, Deputy Principal on 01892 529144.

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document (if applicable). This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Barnardo's Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

Our safer recruitment processes mean that the safety and welfare of the child is paramount at every stage of the process and therefore we adopt rigorous scrutiny in our pre-employment checking. Applicants must be willing to undergo relevant pre-employment checks, including references being taken up prior to interview and for the successful candidate, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education Statutory Guidance.

As part of your application, you will need to provide full details of your employment since leaving secondary education, starting with your current or most recent employment first and then by working backwards, including reasons for leaving. Please also include any periods of voluntary work and/or training, providing reasons for any periods not in employment, education or training.