Pastoral Lead – Salford

Role title: Pastoral Lead

Reports to: Head of School

Salary: Starting from £26,000

Location: 5 Gerald Road, Salford

Hours: 8.30am – 4pm

Our Values

At EdStart, our principal values are Progression—we are committed to helping every student achieve their fullest potential, regardless of their individual challenges. Further to this we uphold the values of Humanity, Togetherness, and Compassion, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for both students and staff.

We are proud to embrace diversity in all its forms and are committed to building a workforce that reflects this ethos. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals to apply regardless of sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage, or civil partnership.

Purpose of the Role:

To support students and families with emerging needs, and contribute to more complex cases using an asset-based approach, enabling and empowering the families to make sustained robust changes, thus improving outcomes for children. To develop action plans for students and families in need of early help or with complex needs. To coach, challenge and support the student/family to achieve their objectives and co-ordinate the professional services they need to support them.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide consistent pastoral support to students, helping them feel safe, valued, and supported within the school.
• Undertake training to Level 3 in Safeguarding and support the Head of School with the management of day-to-day safeguarding concerns.
• Lead on behaviour management strategies, including de-escalation and restorative approaches, to promote positive behaviour and relationships.
• Monitor and support student attendance, implementing targeted interventions to reduce persistent absence and improve engagement.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students and their families, offering guidance and support to address social, emotional, and behavioural needs.
• Work closely with teaching staff to identify barriers to learning and implement appropriate strategies and interventions.
• Develop and deliver individual or small group sessions to address issues such as behaviour, resilience, self-esteem, and emotional regulation.
• Liaise with external agencies and professionals to ensure students receive the right support at the right time.
• Support the safeguarding team by identifying and escalating concerns in line with school policy and statutory guidance.
• Maintain accurate records of pastoral interventions, attendance actions, and behaviour incidents, ensuring data informs practice and supports decision-making.
• Contribute to creating a positive school culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive of every student’s progression.
• Liaise with external agencies, notably Early Help, to ensure coordinated support for pupils and families.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Strong behaviour management skills with the ability to de-escalate challenging situations and promote positive behaviour.
• Experience working in an educational, pastoral, SEMH, or family support environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust and positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and external agencies.
• Ability to engage and support students with complex needs, including those who may be reluctant or resistant to interventions.
• Confident in maintaining accurate records, monitoring attendance and behaviour data, and evidencing impact.
• Proactive, reliable, and resilient, able to remain calm under pressure and respond effectively to challenging circumstances.
• Commitment to EdStart’s values of Progression, Humanity, Togetherness, and Compassion, with a strong focus on safeguarding and inclusive education.

Why Work at EdStart?

• A supportive, inclusive environment where staff wellbeing and professional development are prioritised.
• Opportunities to engage with training, supervision and reflective practice to enhance your skills.
• A collaborative team culture built on compassion, humanity, togetherness, and shared purpose.
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and their families, helping them overcome barriers and achieve progression.

Safeguarding and Recruitment

EdStart Specialist Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. This post is subject to a fully enhanced DBS check.

As part of our safer recruitment process, we will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 guidelines