Pupil Development Worker

The primary purpose of the job:

To design and deliver a range of interventions focused on promoting areas such as

Emotional Regulation and Mental Health Support

Emotional Awareness and Management: Teach strategies for identifying and regulating emotions, such as mindfulness, coping techniques, and grounding exercises.

Building Resilience: Foster the ability to recover from setbacks through supportive relationships, problem-solving skills, and goal-setting.

 Social Skills and Relationships

Conflict Resolution: Teach positive ways to handle disagreements and de-escalate conflicts.

Effective Communication: Develop skills like active listening, empathy, and expressing needs constructively.

Peer and Mentor Relationships: Provide positive role models and peer groups to reduce the influence of negative associations.

Sexual health support: provide support and guidance on sexual health and, where necessary, support to access specialist services.

Education and Employment Readiness

Literacy and Numeracy: Address gaps in foundational skills essential for employment and independence.

Vocational Training: Offer hands-on training or apprenticeships in areas of interest to build skills and confidence.

Career Guidance: Help pupils explore career paths, set realistic goals, and prepare for job applications and interviews.

Understanding and Avoiding Criminal Behaviour

Awareness of Consequences: Educate pupils on criminal actions' legal and personal consequences.

Restorative Justice Approaches: Use restorative practices to help pupils understand the impact of their actions on others and take responsibility.

Risk Management: Identify triggers and risky situations and teach strategies to avoid criminal behaviour.

Independence and Life Skills

Financial Literacy: Teach budgeting, saving, and understanding loans and credit.

Health and Well-being: Promote healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, exercise, and self-care.

Community and Social Engagement

Positive Activities: Involve pupils in sports, arts, or community service to build self-worth and occupy free time constructively.

Civic Understanding: Teach about rights, responsibilities, and active citizenship to encourage participation in the community.

Networking Opportunities: Facilitate connections with community programs, mentors, and support services.

Building Self-Identity and Purpose

Exploration of Strengths and Interests: Help pupils discover their passions and talents to foster self-esteem.

Developing a Growth Mindset: Encourage a belief in the ability to change and grow through effort and learning.

Long-Term Goal Setting: Support pupils in envisioning a positive future and mapping out steps to achieve it.

These areas, supported by individualised and holistic approaches, can empower pupils to overcome challenges, reduce the risk of criminal behaviour, and prepare for a fulfilling adult life.

Intervention sessions will be delivered to young people across the organisation on a one-to-one and small-group basis as needs are identified. The ideal candidate will have the knowledge and experience to support young people in addressing key issues around mental health through planning, goal setting, and support to access specialist services where required.

At Prism, safeguarding is at the heart of all our work. Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate will have a demonstrable record of effective safeguarding practice within a school or similar youth organisation.

Main tasks of the job:

1.    Ensure that all interventions are current and up to date, utilising a range of resources to support the delivery of engaging and informative sessions to young people.  

2.    To promote mental health and wellbeing across the school community using local and national initiatives

3.    Complete initial assessments with young people and complete regular reviews and evaluation activities

4.    To work outdoors throughout the year and develop and maintain green spaces through work with young people

5.    To plan, recruit and take a lead on holiday activities that specifically offer extracurricular activities

6.    Maintain schemes of work and ensure that young people’s individual needs are considered.

7.    Using internal paperwork and computer systems to record the progress and attainment of young people.  

8.    Ensure that all activities are appropriately risk-assessed

9.    Ensure a high health and safety standard is always adhered to. Raising any concerns around health and safety with the management team as soon as possible.

10. Attend and contribute to meetings to identify tasks, safeguarding, health and safety issues and provide updates about post

11. Participate in at least termly supervision with the line manager 

12. Participate in regular CPD activities as directed by line manager

13. Contribute to the identification and planning of tasks to be completed with the groups of young people

14. Working as a team covering all designated areas using the staff rotas

15. To ensure risk assessments are completed for all offsite activities

16. To contribute to reports for management, referring agencies and parents

17. To report and log incidents

18. To report all safeguarding incidents and concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead

19. To attend training as required – this may involve weekend and residential training

20. To establish, maintain and develop appropriate working relationships with staff, young people, parents and other partner agencies

21. To work alongside other in-house projects to ensure learners receive a seamless service

22. To advocate for PRISM both within and outside the organisation.

23. To ensure the implementation of PRISM Independent School’s Policies.

24. To carry out such tasks and duties from time to time as required by the senior management of PRISM Independent School

Licences, registrations and qualifications 

1.   A full Clean Driving licence is desirable

2.   Level 2 (or equivalent) Maths and English

Qualified status

Level 5 or above in youth work, teaching, social care, etc.

This job description illustrates the scope and responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. You will be expected to perform other job-related tasks requested by management and as necessitated by the charity's development.

Close Date 20 March 2025

Interviews to be held on 26 March 2025

Qualified: PO4 £38,305 - £40,990

Unqualified: SO1 £28,297 - £29,945