Pastoral Support Assistant

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 !

Job Title: Pastoral Support Assistant

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Location: Armley Grange School, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 08.30am - 4.30pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

As part of our continued growth, we have a fantastic opportunity for a Pastoral Support Assistant to join our close-knit team at Armley Grange School and help develop and drive outstanding education and care across the School. If you are looking to join a dedicated team in a school that will welcome your ideas and re-engage our young people, we would like to hear from you.

About us

Armley Grange is a new specialist school for young people with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs. A specialist school equipped with the latest technology, sensory provision and specialist teaching spaces with the needs of the pupils in mind.

Armley Grange is a day school that caters for students from 5 years to 19 years old. A specialist curriculum will be provided blending specialist teaching around communication, sensory and behaviour approaches with aiming for each pupil to achieve their goals and aspirations and to reach their potential, equipping them to make their way in the world.

We provide a therapeutic, supportive and inclusive learning environment and are committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise their potential and supporting them through a personalised, engaging curriculum. Our priority is to develop the foundation knowledge and skills required to make a manageable and smooth transition to the next life stage.

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.

About the role

Working as a Pastoral Support Assistant you will enhance the learning environment for our pupils, supporting them and working to promote personal development and well-being for all. You will help be part of an outstanding team, working to develop the school as a high-quality specialist provision through providing the highest standards of pastoral care of all pupils, of all abilities in a safe and orderly learning environment which provide high standards of behaviour.

It is essential that you will be able to support the teaching team in addressing the needs of all pupils but especially those pupils who need particular help with behaviour management to overcome barriers to learning. Safeguarding the welfare of the young people in our care will be your primary responsibility.

Experience of working with pupils in this context and in a SEN setting would be an advantage but not essential.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an individual with high expectations and standards who can offer excellent behavioural management skills. You will be working with young people who have complex needs and your ability to develop trusting relationships with the young people and staff will be crucial.

You will be able to reliably work to instruction as well as take the initiative when circumstances demand. An interest and a desire to improve these pupil's lives is essential. The ability to contribute to the development of our 'Outstanding' school is crucial and we believe that energy, passion and a commitment to high standards are key characteristics required.

We are looking for a special individual who is able to help inspire and re-engage the young people that we serve. This is an opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their skills and experience in a challenging, motivating and highly rewarding environment.

Why join Options Autism?

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.

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.