Head of Pastoral

About Us

First Steps Together Group is a growing and ambitious organisation of independent schools dedicated to transforming outcomes for children and young people through exceptional education, therapeutic support, and relational practice.

Our schools support pupils with a range of additional needs, including SEMH, SEND, and complex vulnerabilities. As we continue to expand, we are committed to delivering sector\-leading standards in safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, inclusion, and pastoral care.

We are now seeking an exceptional and experienced Head of Pastoral to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of pastoral provision across all schools within the group.

The Opportunity

This is a senior leadership role offering the opportunity to shape and lead pastoral strategy across a growing organisation that is passionate about improving the life chances of children and young people.

Reporting directly to the Executive Headteacher, you will be responsible for driving excellence, consistency, compliance, and continuous improvement across all aspects of pastoral care, safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, and wellbeing.

Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a group\-wide pastoral strategy aligned with organisational growth and school improvement priorities.


• Establish consistent pastoral systems, policies, and procedures across all schools.


• Lead strategic developments in safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, inclusion, and student wellbeing.


• Support the onboarding and integration of new schools into the group.


• Drive continuous improvement through effective monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance.

Safeguarding Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight of safeguarding and child protection practices across all settings.


• Support and develop Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and safeguarding teams.


• Ensure compliance with KCSIE, Working Together to Safeguard Children, Independent School Standards, and all relevant statutory guidance.


• Lead safeguarding audits, reviews, and compliance monitoring.


• Support complex safeguarding cases and multi\-agency working.

Attendance, Behaviour \& Inclusion

• Develop and implement attendance strategies that improve engagement and reduce persistent absence.


• Lead the implementation of consistent behaviour systems and trauma\-informed approaches.


• Support schools with behaviour intervention planning, risk management, reintegration programmes, and exclusion reduction strategies.


• Monitor trends and data to identify risks, improve outcomes, and target interventions effectively.

Leadership \& Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop pastoral leaders and teams across the group.


• Build leadership capacity and support succession planning.


• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional excellence.


• Work closely with Headteachers and Senior Leadership Teams to ensure consistency and high standards.

Quality Assurance \& Compliance

• Develop robust quality assurance systems across all pastoral functions.


• Conduct audits, compliance checks, and operational reviews.


• Produce reports and recommendations for the Executive Headteacher.


• Monitor key performance indicators relating to safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, and wellbeing.

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated and values\-driven leader who can operate strategically while maintaining strong operational oversight.

You will have:

Essential

✔ Significant leadership experience within education, safeguarding, or pastoral leadership

✔ Extensive knowledge of safeguarding legislation and KCSIE

✔ Experience leading safeguarding across multiple settings or provisions

✔ Proven success in developing attendance and behaviour improvement strategies

✔ Experience managing pastoral or multi\-disciplinary teams

✔ Strong understanding of SEMH, SEND, and trauma\-informed practice

✔ Experience of quality assurance and school improvement processes

✔ Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills

✔ Experience working effectively with external agencies and safeguarding partners

✔ The ability to manage complex and high\-risk safeguarding matters

Desirable

✔ DSL qualification or advanced safeguarding training

✔ Leadership qualification (NPQSL, NPQH, or equivalent)

✔ Experience within independent or specialist education settings

✔ Understanding of Independent School Standards

✔ Experience supporting organisational growth and development

What We Offer

• Senior leadership opportunity within a growing and ambitious organisation


• Opportunity to shape pastoral provision across multiple schools


• Collaborative and supportive executive leadership team


• Ongoing professional development and leadership training


• Competitive salary and benefits package


• The opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people

Safeguarding Statement

First Steps Together Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, online searches, and safer recruitment procedures.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and the wellbeing of children and young people at all times.

Pay: £48,000\.00\-£54,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Free flu jabs


• Health \& wellbeing programme


• Referral programme

Work Location: In person

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