Pastoral Support Officer | Primary School | Birmingham

The Opportunity

Birmingham is one of the youngest and most diverse cities in Europe, providing a vibrant and rewarding environment for pastoral care. We are seeking a dedicated and empathetic Pastoral Support Officer to join our primary school community. In this vital role, you will be a champion for our pupils' emotional well-being, acting as a bridge between the classroom, the home, and external support agencies to ensure every child feels safe, heard, and ready to learn.

The Role & Department

• You will be a key member of the school’s Inclusion and Safeguarding team, working closely with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

• The role is centered on "the whole child," moving beyond academic data to focus on social-emotional mental health (SEMH), attendance, and behavioural resilience.

• You will have access to a dedicated "nurture space" or "inclusion hub" within the school, designed to provide a calm environment for 1-to-1 interventions and small-group social skills work.

• We benefit from strong partnerships with Birmingham-based support services, including Forward Thinking Birmingham, local family hubs, and educational psychology services.

Core Responsibilities

1. Direct Pupil Support: Delivering bespoke 1-to-1 and small-group interventions focusing on emotional regulation, self-esteem, anger management, and friendship skills.

2. Family Liaison: Acting as a primary point of contact for parents and carers, providing guidance, signposting to external services, and leading Early Help assessments where necessary.

3. Attendance Monitoring: Working proactively with families to identify barriers to school attendance and implementing creative strategies to improve punctuality and engagement.

4. Behaviour Coaching: Supporting the school’s positive behaviour policy by providing "restorative justice" sessions and helping pupils reflect on their choices in a non-judgmental way.

5. Safeguarding Assistance: Maintaining meticulous records of pastoral concerns using systems like CPOMS or MyConcern, and attending multi-agency meetings (e.g., CIN or CP meetings) to advocate for the child.

The Successful Candidate We are looking for a resilient, patient individual who understands that "all behaviour is communication." Requirements include:

• Experience: Previous experience working with children in a pastoral, youth work, or social care capacity, ideally within a primary school setting.

• Interpersonal Skills: The ability to build trust quickly with children who may have experienced trauma or have complex home lives.

• Resilience: A calm and professional approach when dealing with challenging situations or sensitive safeguarding disclosures.

• Knowledge: A solid understanding of the "Nurture Principles" and current safeguarding legislation (Keeping Children Safe in Education).

Why Join Us?

• A school that views pastoral care as the foundation of all academic success, ensuring you are a valued and integrated member of the staff body.

• Access to specialized training in areas such as Mental Health First Aid, Trauma-Informed Practice, and Bereavement Support.

• A supportive, energetic team environment in a city that celebrates its diverse communities and multicultural heritage.

• A role that offers the profound satisfaction of making a tangible difference in the lives of children and their families every single day.

How to Apply

Please submit your current CV to begin the application process for this Pastoral Support Officer position.