Pastoral Support Mentor

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:     Pastoral Support Mentor

Location:         Heath Farm School, Charing Heath, Ashford, Kent

Salary:             £22,000 per annum

Hours:             37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday 8.30 – 16.30

Contract:         Permanent, Term Time only

Start date:    November 2024

If you really want to make your mark in a rapidly growing business that is committed to improving the lives of pupils and young people, we have the role for you!

Job Purpose

To be the first referral point for pastoral issues concerning students in your Pod, supporting students with both reactionary and proactive interventions in order to support them to engage in their learning and working with the class team and department lead to explore best ways of supporting students.

In relation to students within your Pod:

• Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils, ensuring that pupil wellbeing is the focus of all actions undertaken in the role.
• Assist with the pastoral care of pupils, ensuring that the school meets all pupils’ personal and social needs.
• Provide one-to-one pastoral support to pupils, where necessary.
• Work with staff members and parents in order to remove practical, social and emotional barriers to learning.

The successful candidate will have experience of:

• Undertaking relevant and effective CPD.
• Developing and delivering individual and group-based support to pupils. 
• Working with pupils with behavioural issues.
• Supporting pupils’ SMEH needs.
• Implementing behaviour management strategies.

Essential

• GCSEs or equivalent qualification in at least English and Maths.

About the School

It is an exciting time to join Heath Farm School. Under the leadership of the new, forward-thinking headteacher, the school and its team are currently in the process of redesigning and creating a purposeful and unique ‘Heath Farm Curriculum’ that fully meets the holistic needs of our students.

We are an independent SEN school that offers a unique and stimulating environment where every pupil can make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education. From our nurturing approach for primary pupils through to the relaxed working environment of the specialist 6th Form Centre, all students are encouraged to reach high standards in every aspect of their lives.

Our students present with a wide range of needs, including social and emotional issues, learning difficulties, mental health problems and associated conditions. However, they are able to enjoy extraordinary outcomes and be happy at school.

As an independent SEN school, we are far removed from the toxicity and bureaucracy found in so many other schools and we are able to abandon ineffective and traditional methods in favour of new, highly effective and tailored initiatives – essentially, we do what we know is right for the students in our care.

We are part of Acorn Education and Care and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.

Acorn Education and Care is part of the Outcomes First Group.

Why join Acorn Education & Care? 

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the children and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to a fully enhanced DBS, which must be registered on the update service.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy.

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