Pastoral Support Worker / Teaching Assistant (Agency Role)

Location: Specialist education and therapeutic settings (various locations)
Contract: Agency / Flexible placements

Availability: Immediate with multiple placements
Pay: Competitive, dependent on experience

The Role

We are recruiting Pastoral Support Workers to work within small, nurturing educational settings that support children and young people with additional needs. These roles are relationship‑led and trauma‑informed, combining dedicated pastoral support with Teaching Assistant and 1:1 SEN responsibilities during the school day.

This role is ideal for individuals who understand that behaviour is communication and who can offer calm, consistent, and emotionally available support.

About the Settings

The provisions you will work in place pastoral care at the centre of everything they do. Many pupils may have experienced disrupted education, adversity, or trauma, and benefit from environments that prioritise safety, predictability, and trusting relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 pastoral support to students, offering a consistent and trusted adult presence
• Facilitate regular check‑ins or one‑to‑one sessions guided by the student’s emotional needs on the day
• Support emotional regulation through calm, relational approaches rather than punitive responses
• Supervise and support students within low‑arousal or safe spaces designed for regulation and recovery
• Work as a Teaching Assistant, supporting learning activities in the classroom or on a 1:1 basis
• Use trauma‑informed approaches such as PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) and WINE (Wondering, Imagining, Noticing, Empathy)
• Support students during transitions, unstructured times, and moments of dysregulation
• Work collaboratively with on‑site staff and follow personalised support plans
• Maintain professional boundaries, safeguarding standards, and clear communication

Who We’re Looking For

• Experience working with children or young people with SEN, SEMH, or additional needs
• Confident providing pastoral, emotional, or behavioural support
• Calm, patient, and emotionally attuned, particularly during challenging moments
• Able to adapt to different settings and follow consistent approaches
• Comfortable supporting learning as a Teaching Assistant alongside pastoral duties

Desirable (but not essential)

• Background in education, youth work, social care, or mental health support
• Experience in alternative provision, specialist education, or therapeutic settings
• Training or knowledge of trauma‑informed or attachment‑aware practice

What the Agency Offers

• Flexible placements to suit your availability
• Opportunities to work in supportive, values‑driven environments
• Ongoing support from a dedicated consultant
• The chance to make a meaningful difference to young people’s lives

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a brief overview of your experience working with children or young people.