Job Description

Orange Tree School

England

Salary:

competetive, depending on qualifications and experience

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Apply by:

17 October 2025

Job overview

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About Orange Tree School

Orange Tree School is a special independent school for young people aged 11-19 who thrive in a small, therapeutic and nurturing environment. Many of our pupils have faced challenges in mainstream settings, and our mission is to help them rebuild confidence, rediscover learning, and achieve their potential.


We are a warm, dedicated team who believe in the power of relationships with pupils, families and colleagues to create lasting change.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced, compassionate, organised and approachable Pastoral Lead, Family and Attendance Liaison, to join our team.


This is a key, relationship-based role supporting pupils, families and staff to ensure every child feels safe, understood and ready to learn.


You will be the main link between home and school, helping families engage positively, supporting students with emotional or attendance difficulties, and working with colleagues to remove barriers to learning.


The role would suit someone with maturity, empathy and strong communication skills, perhaps a parent or experienced supportive professional who understands the pressures families face and can offer calm, consistent support.

Key Responsibilities

Family Liaison

Be the main point of contact for parents and carers regarding attendance, behaviour and wellbeing. Build strong, trusting relationships with families, offering advice and practical guidance when challenges arise. Support families to access external services or community support where needed. Encourage open, positive communication between home and school. Provide home visit support where necessary.

Attendance Support

Monitor daily attendance and punctuality, contacting families promptly and sensitively when concerns arise. Support pupils and families to overcome barriers to regular attendance. Work with the Attendance Lead and pastoral team to promote a positive culture of attendance and belonging. Carry out home visits or meetings to support re-engagement, where appropriate. Help maintain accurate attendance records and produce reports when required.

Pastoral Leadership

Oversee pastoral support across the school, coordinating with form tutors and behaviour staff. Be the first line pastoral support for pupils experiencing social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Offer small group or one-to-one sessions to help pupils manage emotions, build confidence and strengthen relationships. Support form tutors with pastoral matters, helping to maintain consistency and care across the school providing weekly home comms. Help mediate and resolve issues between pupils, or between pupils and staff, where needed following the school relationship and behaviour policy. Promote positive relationships and uphold the school's culture of care, respect and high expectations. Work closely with the SEN team, SENCO and Therapists to ensure joined up working in the best interest of the child.

Collaboration and Safeguarding

Serve as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), working closely with the DSL and safeguarding team. Liaise with external professionals such as social services, CAMHS and education welfare to coordinate support. Contribute to safeguarding plans, multi-agency meetings and pastoral care reviews. Attend meetings and contribute to reports or action plans for pupils and families as required. Always uphold safeguarding procedures and maintain appropriate confidentiality.

About You

We're looking for someone who brings maturity, warmth and good judgement, someone who naturally puts people at ease, while being confident to lead, challenge and support in equal measure.

Empathetic, calm and a good listener, able to build trust quickly. Confident in communicating with both parents and young people. Organised and reliable, able to manage sensitive information appropriately. Resilient, patient and able to stay positive when situations are challenging. Collaborative, working well as part of a small, committed team.

Essential Experience

Experience working with children, young people or families in an educational, pastoral or community setting. A good understanding of safeguarding and child protection. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage a varied workload with care and professionalism.

Desirable Experience

Familiarity with school attendance procedures. Experience of liaising with external agencies or carrying out home visits. Training in mentoring, counselling or emotional wellbeing support.

Why Join Us

A rewarding role where you can make a daily difference to young people's lives. A welcoming, supportive school community that values teamwork and relationships. Opportunities for professional development and training. A setting where every staff member is known, supported and valued.

Safeguarding

Orange Tree School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment and will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Whilst every effort has been taken to explain the duties and responsibilities of the post, certain individual tasks may not be identified.





Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake any task of a similar level that is not specified in the job description.
The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher or line manager.

All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS disclosure.

We can only accept applicants who have the right to work in the UK.

Applications will be considered upon receipt and interviews can take place at any time. The school reserves the right to close this post at an earlier date should a successful appointment be made.

About

Orange Tree School

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Orange Tree School

Oakleigh Park North, Whetstone, London
N20 9AR
United Kingdom

+44 208 148 1700

Please visit our website:

ellernmedeschool (ellernmedeschools.com)

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