Pupil Support & Welfare Officer Job Preston Secondary School

Are you a compassionate and dedicated individual with a passion for supporting young people? This dynamic and inclusive secondary school in Preston, Lancashire, is seeking a committed Pupil Support and Welfare Officer to join our thriving pastoral team. This pivotal role focuses on ensuring the well-being, safety, and engagement of all our students, contributing significantly to their positive school experience and successful development.

Located in the heart of Preston, this school is a vibrant and supportive secondary school committed to nurturing every student's academic and personal growth. We pride ourselves on our strong pastoral care system, fostering a safe and inclusive environment where all young people feel valued, listened to, and empowered to achieve their full potential. Our dedicated staff work collaboratively to ensure exceptional well-being provision for our diverse student body.

The Opportunity:

As our Pupil Support and Welfare Officer, you will be at the forefront of our student support services. You will work directly with students, parents, and staff to address a wide range of needs, from daily pastoral care to proactive well-being initiatives and critical safeguarding support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Pastoral Care: Providing day-to-day pastoral support and guidance to students, responding to their social, emotional, and practical needs.
• Well-being Support: Promoting positive mental health and emotional well-being across the school, delivering interventions, and signposting students to appropriate internal and external services.
• Safeguarding: Playing a key role in the school's safeguarding team, identifying and reporting concerns, maintaining accurate records, and liaising with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and external agencies.
• Attendance & Engagement: Monitoring student attendance and punctuality, working with students and families to address barriers to engagement and improve consistent attendance.
• Behaviour Support: Assisting with the implementation of the school's behaviour policy, offering support to students to develop positive behaviours and conflict resolution skills.
• Liaison: Building strong relationships with parents/carers, communicating effectively about student progress, concerns, and support plans.
• Collaboration: Working collaboratively with teaching staff, the SENCo, and other support staff to ensure a holistic approach to student well-being and academic success.
• Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate, confidential records of student interactions, support plans, and interventions.
• First Aid & Medical Needs: Potentially providing basic first aid and supporting students with medical needs (training will be provided if required).
• Contributing to a positive school culture where all students feel safe, respected, and ready to learn.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Proven experience working with children or young people, ideally in a pastoral, welfare, or support role within an educational setting (e.g., school, youth club, community organisation).
• Excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly and em-pathetically with students, parents, and staff.
• Patience, resilience, and a non-judgemental approach to diverse situations.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and a commitment to child protection is essential.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail for accurate record-keeping.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• A proactive, problem-solving approach to student welfare.
• Relevant qualifications in Youth Work, Counselling, Social Work, Education Support, or equivalent experience are highly desirable.

What We Offer:

• A highly rewarding opportunity to directly impact the lives of young people in a Preston secondary school.
• A supportive, dedicated, and experienced pastoral team.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development in well-being, safeguarding, and pupil support.
• A welcoming and inclusive school community.

How to Apply:

If you are a passionate and committed individual looking for a fulfilling Pupil Support and Welfare role in a Preston secondary school, we encourage you to apply! Please submit your CV and a compelling cover letter outlining your suitability for this position to .

Closing Date: open-ended.

This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check and satisfactory professional references.