Pastoral Support Worker

**Pastoral Support Worker - Early Years**

**Location**: Workington

**Hours**: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate **Pastoral Support Worker** to join a Reception class team. In this rewarding role, you’ll provide one-on-one and small group support to children, helping them navigate their educational journey while building a foundation of trust, emotional security, and academic success. The children benefit from a nurturing environment where play is central to their learning, and your key role will be to make sure they feel safe and supported enough to engage in their development.

If you’re passionate about fostering positive relationships with children and supporting them through their unique challenges, this is an opportunity to truly make a difference.

**What the Role Involves**:

- **Building Strong Relationships**: The foundation of your work will be building a trusting, secure relationship with the child. Establishing this bond is essential for helping them feel safe enough to engage in their learning and development. By understanding their emotional needs, you’ll empower them to approach their education with confidence.
- **Providing Tailored Support**: You’ll work closely with the child, providing personalized support that focuses on their academic, social, and emotional growth. You’ll implement strategies to help them overcome any barriers to learning and ensure they can thrive in the classroom environment.
- **Learning Through Play**: The Reception class is a place where children learn predominantly through play. You’ll support the child in a hands-on, creative learning environment, helping them explore new concepts, build skills, and develop confidence through engaging, playful activities.
- **Behavioural Support**: You’ll provide gentle but firm behavioural support, using positive reinforcement techniques to guide the child’s development. Your aim will be to create a calm and structured environment, where the child feels comfortable enough to participate fully in their learning.
- **Tracking and Reporting Progress**: You’ll be responsible for monitoring and documenting the child’s progress. This includes keeping track of their achievements, challenges, and emotional milestones, which will be shared with the team to inform future support and learning plans.
- **Collaborative Teamwork**: You’ll work closely with the teaching staff, parents, and other professionals to ensure the child’s needs are met across all areas of their life. Open communication and teamwork will be vital in ensuring the child’s emotional, social, and academic development is consistently supported.

**What We’re Looking For**:

- **Experience in Early Years and Behavioural Support**: You’ll have an understanding of trauma-informed practices and the ability to use these strategies to support children’s learning and emotional well-being.
- **Passion for Building Relationships**: You believe that strong, trusting relationships are the key to helping children engage in learning. You’ll know how to make children feel secure and valued, so they can open up and participate fully in their educational journey.
- **Play-Based Learning Enthusiast**: You understand that children learn best through exploration and play. You’re committed to supporting children in an environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and active learning.
- **Strong Communication Skills**: You’ll be able to communicate effectively with children, staff, and parents, ensuring that everyone is on the same page in supporting the child’s progress.
- **Empathy and Patience**: You bring a patient and empathetic approach to your work. You understand that each child’s journey is unique, and you’ll be committed to offering consistent, caring support.

**Why Join Us?**

This role offers a unique opportunity to have a profound impact on a child’s early years education. By building strong relationships and supporting their learning through play, you’ll help them feel secure enough to engage fully in their development. You’ll be part of a supportive and passionate team that is dedicated to the emotional and academic growth of every child.

If you’re ready to bring your skills and compassion to an environment where your efforts truly make a difference, we would love to hear from you.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Temp to perm

Pay: £87.00-£100.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Transport links

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- No weekends

Work Location: In person