Job Description:

We put wellbeing first by giving our teams more time to recharge

Job Title:  Pastoral Support Worker
Location:  Smallbrook School, Shrewsbury, SY4 3HE
Hours:      37.5 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 8.45am - 4.20pm
Salary:      Up to £27,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         October 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Pastoral Support Worker to join our team and support pupils with complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. In this rewarding role, you will work closely with teachers, therapists, families and external professionals to provide pastoral care, promote positive behaviour, and help pupils overcome barriers to learning and personal development.

You will play a key role in creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where every pupil feels valued, supported and empowered to achieve their full potential. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils will be central to everything you do.

What you will be doing 

• Providing pastoral support, guidance and encouragement to pupils across the school.
• Supporting positive behaviour, emotional regulation, confidence and self-esteem.
• Building strong relationships with pupils, families, colleagues and external professionals.
• Contributing to behaviour, wellbeing and inclusion strategies that support pupil success.
• Maintaining accurate records relating to pupil progress, wellbeing and behaviour.
• Helping create a safe, structured and positive environment where pupils can thrive.
• Supporting the wider life of the school and contributing to day-to-day operations.
• Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people at all times.

What you will bring

• A positive, patient and nurturing approach to supporting pupils.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to remain calm, adaptable and professional in challenging situations.
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable children and young people.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

About Us

Smallbrook School is currently increasing capacity from 50 students to 80 and having a large investment in our school site developing KS2 and sixth form provision. We are a co-educational day school catering for pupils aged 7-18 with a range of complex needs including a range of social, emotional and mental health needs and also pupils who have been diagnosed with autism or demonstrate behaviours associated with autism.

You will contribute to making Smallbrook School an outstanding provision for our young people and their families. 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.

Our School is based halfway between Shrewsbury and Wem in Shropshire.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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