Pastoral and SEND Support Assistant

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated person to provide high-quality support to the SENDCo and pastoral leaders at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls in promoting the inclusion, wellbeing, engagement and progress of students across the school.

As well as providing administrative support, the successful applicant will be expected to play a key role in helping the school to achieve its aims. The postholder will assist in the support and individual students and groups who require additional SEND and pastoral support, helping them to overcome barriers to learning, develop independence and resilience and participate fully in school life. They will contribute to an inclusive school culture in which students with SEND, neurodivergent students and those with social, emotional or pastoral difficulties are identified, understood and appropriately supported.

The role will combine direct student support with effective liaison, record keeping, administration and coordination in support of the school’s SEND and pastoral systems. The role also includes supervising our breakfast club from 7.45 am.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Responsibilities will include the following

• Checking that vulnerable students are in school and arrive at their lessons

Assisting the senior and assistant senior tutors to monitor students who are on attendance, punctuality and behaviour reports.

Dealing with requests for special leave and medical appointments, including requests for holidays in term-time, in liaison with the Vice-Principal on this issue.

Liaising with parents and outside agencies on SEND and pastoral matters.

Liaising with the School Nurse and arranging appointments for students.

Liaising with the School Nurse and EPSO team, arranging appointments, booking rooms and logging appointments on Bromcom.

Arranging meetings for the SENDCo, Vice Principal, Lead Senior Tutor, Senior Tutors and Assistant Senior Tutors as required.

Meeting parents or visitors who come into school and taking them to the meeting place.

Participating in meetings with parents and outside agencies related to pastoral or SEND concerns, taking minutes as required.

Assisting the SENDCo in the review of the access to learning plans of students with SEND, including updates or amendments and the communication of this with staff and parents.

Producing and sending letters on request, photocopying, distributing materials and filing.

Assisting with gathering information for SEND assessments, reviews and referrals including requesting ‘round robins’ from subject tutors as requested.

Supporting the implementation of student support plans including Individual Health Care Plans and Education, Health and Care Plans, where applicable.

Working collaboratively with the SENDCo, Senior and Assistant Senior Tutors to identify concerns and coordinate appropriate support.

Providing appropriate support, mentoring and check-ins for identified students. This will include students experiencing anxiety, friendship difficulties, transition issues, emotional regulation difficulties or other barriers to their successful participation in school.

Encouraging students to take increasing responsibility for their own wellbeing, organisation and learning.

Recognising when concerns require escalation to the SENDCo, senior tutors, Designated Safeguarding Lead or another appropriate member of staff.

Keeping students’ information files up to date.

Maintaining accurate and confidential records of any incidents/discussions and making these known to appropriate people, logging on Bromcom or CPOMS as required.

Adding pastoral details to the school’s database.

Building positive, professional relationships with students, providing a consistent and trusted point of contact for vulnerable students and those struggling with their well-being.

Managing and logging the use of time-out cards, the sensory and medical rooms.

Acting as a first aider and completing of appropriate forms, as well as attending hospital with injured students if required.

Supervision of and engagement with students in breakfast club

Supporting the Pastoral Assistant responsible for attendance with monitoring attendance and punctuality, identifying concerns and liaising with senior tutors/assistant senior tutors and the Vice Principal as required and making appropriate and timely referrals to Trafford’s Pupil Absence Team.

We are open, supportive and flexible with high-quality CPD opportunities through our Teaching School Hubs and Professional Development Institute.

Flexible working will be considered please discuss your preferences at interview.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for a full list of responsibilities and accountabilities.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Bright Futures Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out and references will be sought for shortlisted candidates and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.