Pastoral Support Officer | Lewisham

The Opportunity

Are you a resilient advocate for young people, an active listener, and a professional who believes that every child deserves a champion?

We are seeking a dedicated Pastoral Support Officer to join a vibrant and community-focused secondary school in Lewisham . In a borough celebrated for its rich cultural diversity and grassroots creativity, this school provides a vital sanctuary for its students. This role is perfect for someone who can navigate the complexities of teenage life with empathy, firmness, and an unwavering commitment to student wellbeing.

Core Responsibilities

• Tiered Intervention: Managing a caseload of students who require additional social, emotional, or behavioral support, creating bespoke action plans to help them re-engage with learning.

• Conflict Resolution: Leading restorative justice meetings and mediation sessions to resolve peer-on-peer issues and foster a culture of mutual respect.

• Safeguarding Advocacy: Acting as a key point of contact for safeguarding concerns, working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and external agencies (Social Care, CAMHS).

• Family Liaison: Building strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers to ensure a joined-up approach to the student’s development and home-school stability.

• Behavior Management: Supporting the school’s behavior policy by providing "on-call" assistance, managing reflection spaces, and tracking behavioral data to identify trends.

Why This School?

• Lewisham’s Vibrant Identity: Work in the heart of South East London, a borough with a proud history of social activism and a deeply diverse student population.

• Integrated Support Network: Join a multidisciplinary team of SENCOs, Counselors, and Attendance Officers who meet daily to ensure no student "falls through the cracks."

• Specialized Training: Benefit from regular CPD in Mental Health First Aid , Trauma-Informed Practice , and De-escalation Techniques (Team Teach/Step On) .

• Career Progression: Access to pathways into Head of Year roles, Safeguarding Leadership , or specialized Educational Welfare positions.

Candidate Profile

• Experience: Proven experience working with young people in an educational, youth work, or social care setting is essential.

• Knowledge: A solid understanding of the challenges facing urban youth, including mental health, social media pressures, and community safety.

• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills; the ability to speak the "language" of students while maintaining professional boundaries with staff and parents.

• Character: High emotional intelligence, a thick skin, and a genuine passion for making a difference in a fast-paced environment.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit your CV today.