Therapeutic Pastoral Lead

About The Role

Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child? Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fix what needs fixing, together.

This is the work. And we’d like you to be part of it.

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds and all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many also have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties.

The work we do is both varied and challenging. As a trauma and attachment‑informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support.

Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision‑making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.

We are a therapeutic school that believes in a healing approach to supporting and modifying challenging behaviour. The Therapeutic Pastoral Lead embodies, leads and facilitates this approach in our schools by working holistically.

The position works within the local leadership team, co‑managed by Regional SENCOs and the Therapeutic Development Manager. It is an integral role within our school community, requiring capacity and skills to work at this level.

The successful candidate will be calm and sensitive at times of potential dysregulation and experienced in de‑escalation, having a practical knowledge of key theories and frameworks of interventions to emotionally support children.

They will receive CPD training in our Assessing and Healing Childhood Trauma (AHCT) approach and will promote and enable all education staff to fully understand how this supports students in our care.

They will run meaningful intervention groups with young people and role‑model therapeutic interactions and best practice.

• Pastoral, SMSC, Socio‑Emotional resilience and personal development of students.
• Assessment, monitoring, reporting and supporting the overall holistic progress and personal development of students.
• Ensuring safeguarding is paramount and safeguarding policies are adhered to.
• Contributing to the annual School Improvement Plan and School Evaluation Form.
• Maintaining knowledge of and taking shared responsibility for the SMSC and Personal Development elements of the Independent School Standards and the Ofsted Inspection framework, working to promote these day to day.

• Ongoing free training and therapeutic workshops providing high levels of CPD hours.
• Career progression opportunities within Therapeutic Services and the wider Compass organisation.
• Peer group supervision – therapeutic and clinical support for CPD growth.
• Inclusion – Membership of GRACE (Group and Regional Ambassadors Committed to Equality) reflecting weekly group.
• Wellbeing – Access to confidential therapeutic wellbeing sessions within the Therapeutic Services team.
• Engagement conferences – Two per year with the national Therapeutic Services team to further develop theoretical knowledge and sense of belonging. Accommodation and DBB provided.
• Awards – Opportunity to win up to £150 in vouchers every month from the REACH Awards and monthly vouchers within Therapeutic Services.
• Medicash – Receive cashback for various medical and wellbeing appointments and treatments.
• Annual leave – Eight weeks annual leave.
• Length of service bonuses – £200 (2 years), £400 (5 years), £600 (10 years) and up to £500 special recognition award for outstanding practice.

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity, and undergo due‑diligence checks on social media use.

All school‑based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. They should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

Compass is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We must attract talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences to support our children and young people.

About us.

Advert End Date: 06/03/26

Interview Date: W/C 09/03/26