Emotional Wellbeing Assistant

Ripplevale School and College, is a thriving independent special school, for 170 students aged 6 to 25 years old, located in the historic town of Rochester. As part of the Ripplevale family of schools, we provide a holistic, child centred approach to meeting the needs of our students, all of whom have an Education and Health Care Plan. Identified needs may include Autism Spectrum Disorder, dyslexia, speech, language and communication difficulties, DCD, sensory, and high levels of anxiety.

We are looking for an engaging and passionate Emotional Wellbeing assistant to join the existing team and to support and enthuse children of all abilities, to make progress. This is a full-time and permanent position, term time only, with immediate effect or as soon as possible.

Ripplevale provides a holistic child centred approach to education underpinned by our team of 91 Teachers, Teaching assistants, Administrators and Therapists, all working in a caring and nurturing environment, with a common belief that all students have the opportunity to make progress and experience success everyday, in a safe, caring, nurturing and secure environment.

Our site boasts well-resourced classrooms, small class sizes, music and drama facilities, Science labs, Therapy rooms, amazing vocational teaching areas such as our hair and beauty studios, a coffee shop, catering kitchens, as well as numerous areas for children to have fun and enjoy social times. Staff are both welcoming and friendly at this independent school and there is a collaborative approach where resources and best practices are shared.

The Headteacher is seeking a passionate and dedicated Emotional Wellbeing Assistant to support and promote the welfare and learning of our students. The successful applicant will be a self-motivated problem solver who has an empathic understanding of mental health issues and behavioural patterns.

The applicant will need to be intuitive and astute in seeing beyond what is being said and have regard for the young person to build a trusting relationship that will withstand the obligation of reporting to safeguarding but remain confidential and follow GDPR.

You will need to have resilience to withstand what you hear and to not be affected by it or to become too involved within it. You will need to be able to trust your instinct and act on it, to know what is best for students and above all be professional, fair and impartial.

You must act to the highest level of safeguarding, and place the welfare of the child as paramount in your decision making.

Team working is key to share best practice, support each other and to report back to the Therapies manager on all wellbeing concerns. The EWB team sits within the larger therapies team which includes Occupational therapists and Speech and Language therapists. You will also be expected to work alongside the school therapy dogs and take responsibility for their programme to support student wellbeing.

The successful applicant will have a positive attitude towards young children, adults and dogs, have a sense of humour and excellent written and oral communication skills. This role would also suit those looking to further their career either as a qualified therapist or teacher. We can offer you the opportunity to train through the school’s Continuing Professional Development programme and be supported by a mentor to realise your career goals.

Experience within the educational sector and qualifications in the area of mental health would be an advantage but are not essential.

We believe in the very best teaching and learning opportunities for all our students and we require this applicant to have a strong commitment to removing barriers to learning for all.

We can offer you:

A strong and supportive leadership team that is passionate about staff and student wellbeing.

An inviting, supportive, welcoming and friendly environment.

An ‘Employee Assistance Programme’ membership entitling you to Home Life Support, Work Life Assistance, Physical and Emotional Health Support and Wellbeing support resources including mini health checks.

A strong Continuing Professional Development programme that includes training to support your further professional development.

Sickness benefits.

We require you to:

Be passionate about students’ wellbeing, learning and development.

Be a great team player with a positive outlook.

If you are passionate about improving outcomes for students and you are looking for an exciting opportunity in a nurturing environment, supported by a strong staff team, then this could be the job for you.

Applicants are strongly advised to apply early for this post as we reserve the right to close a vacancy prior to the closing date if a high number of applications have been received.

Please apply now by completing the application form.