Pastoral Support Officer – Independent Secondary School – Brighton

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time Permanent
Salary: Paid to scale

This is a well-established Independent Secondary School in Brighton serving pupils aged 1118 within a supportive and ambitious educational environment. The school combines high academic expectations with a strong commitment to pastoral care personal development and student wellbeing.

Pupils are encouraged to become confident respectful and independent young people while staff work closely together to provide clear boundaries consistent support and positive relationships. The school has a strong pastoral structure and recognises the importance of identifying concerns early and providing pupils with the right support before difficulties become barriers to their education.

The school is looking to appoint a dedicated Pastoral Support Officer to join its pastoral team and provide targeted support to pupils across the school.

The successful Pastoral Support Officer will work closely with Heads of Year senior leaders teachers and families to support pupils who may require additional guidance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing individual and small-group pastoral support.

• Building positive and professional relationships with pupils.

• Supporting pupils experiencing difficulties with attendance behaviour or engagement.

• Working alongside Heads of Year and pastoral leaders.

• Monitoring individual pupil concerns and recording appropriate information.

• Supporting pupils with strategies to improve organisation and engagement.

• Helping pupils manage challenges that may affect their education.

• Supporting reintegration following periods of absence.

• Contributing to attendance and behaviour interventions.

• Communicating appropriately with parents and carers.

• Attending pastoral meetings where required.

• Maintaining accurate records of interventions.

• Liaising with teaching staff regarding pupil progress and wellbeing.

• Escalating concerns to appropriate members of staff.

• Supporting the implementation of individual support plans.

• Contributing to the schools wider pastoral and wellbeing initiatives.

• Supporting pupils during less structured parts of the school day where required.

The role will involve working with pupils who may require additional encouragement structure or guidance.

The successful candidate will need to establish trust while maintaining clear professional boundaries. You may work with pupils who are experiencing challenges with attendance behaviour motivation organisation or relationships.

A calm and consistent approach will be essential. The successful candidate should be able to listen carefully identify concerns and work constructively with pupils towards practical solutions.

Communication with parents and carers will form an important part of the role.

The Pastoral Support Officer may be required to:

• Provide updates regarding pupil support.

• Contribute to meetings with families.

• Discuss attendance or behavioural concerns.

• Communicate agreed strategies.

• Record relevant communication.

• Work with parents to encourage positive engagement with school.

The successful candidate will need to communicate sensitively while maintaining the schools expectations and professional standards.

The school is looking for someone with:

• Previous experience in pastoral support education youth work mentoring or a related role.

• Experience working with secondary-aged pupils.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• The ability to build positive relationships with young people.

• A calm and consistent approach to challenging situations.

• Excellent organisational skills.

• Strong record-keeping abilities.

• The ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Confidence communicating with parents and carers.

• The ability to work effectively with teaching and pastoral colleagues.

• A proactive and solution-focused approach.

• A genuine commitment to pupil wellbeing and achievement.

Experience supporting pupils with additional needs or behavioural difficulties would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute fully to the schools safeguarding culture. You will need to understand appropriate professional boundaries and know when concerns should be recorded and escalated.

Confidentiality will be essential when handling information relating to pupils and families.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established Independent Secondary School in Brighton and become an important member of its pastoral provision.

The successful candidate will work alongside experienced pastoral professionals and have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to pupils attendance engagement behaviour and overall school experience.

If you have experience in pastoral support mentoring youth work or education and would like to join an Independent Secondary School in Brighton please send your CV as soon as possible.