Senior Therapeutic Pastoral Lead

Compass Community is an independent therapeutic organisation providing care, education and support to nearly 2,000 children and young people through fostering, residential homes and specialist education settings. We are committed to meeting the social, emotional, cognitive and sensory needs of every child and young person we support.

Therapeutic Services at Compass has a proven track record through its Assessing and Healing Complex Trauma (AHCT) approach, which has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of young people.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Senior Therapeutic Pastoral Lead whose professional background and training are underpinned by theories relating to trauma, attachment and loss. You will have strong experience of supporting children and young people within the care sector and be committed to delivering high-quality therapeutic support.

Main Purpose of the Role

To ensure consistency in the delivery of the Therapeutic Pastoral Lead (TPL) role across AHCT education settings by overseeing and supporting a team of up to six full-time, or equivalent, TPLs across multiple schools. This will be achieved through virtual individual supervision, occasional group meetings and face-to-face visits to each setting.

Working systemically alongside the Education Service, you will ensure children, young people and staff remain at the heart of all practice, receiving outstanding therapeutic intervention, guidance and training.

The role includes undertaking TPL responsibilities within a designated school for one day (8 hours) per week. There may also be occasions where service priorities require an increase of up to 40 hours per week of direct TPL work. Any such requirement will be reviewed through ongoing discussion with the Therapeutic Development Manager.

Evidence of therapeutic training, qualifications and/or ongoing CPD.
- Completion of a psychology or counselling-related course.
- Level 5 Management qualification or equivalent (desirable).
- Strong leadership, supervision and coaching skills.
- Minimum of two years' experience working with children who have SEMH needs and complex trauma.
- Literacy skills equivalent to Level 5 or A-Level standard.
- Ability to influence and promote good practice within teams.
- Experience delivering training to small groups of staff.
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-agency environment.
- Strong understanding of attachment and loss.
- Active, energetic, creative, empathetic and outgoing approach.
- Excellent communication skills with fluent spoken English.
- Experience facilitating groups for young people.
- Experience of assessment and intervention planning.
- Understanding of responsibilities relating to health, safety and wellbeing.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel and stay away from home when required.

Ongoing free training and therapeutic workshops contributing significantly to CPD hours.
- Clear career progression opportunities within Therapeutic Services and the wider Compass organisation.
- Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.
- Peer group therapeutic and clinical supervision.
- Individual therapeutic and supportive supervision.
- Membership of the GRACE Inclusion Reflective weekly group.
- Access to confidential wellbeing sessions provided by the Therapeutic Services team.
- Two annual engagement conferences with the national Therapeutic Services team, including accommodation and dinner, bed and breakfast.
- Company laptop and mobile phone.
- The opportunity to contribute to a growing national organisation that values individual strengths, skills and creativity.
- MediCash healthcare cashback scheme for medical and wellbeing treatments.
- Eight weeks annual leave.
- Half-day leave for Christmas shopping.
- Paid volunteering day.
- Dedicated wellbeing day.
- Birthday leave.
- Length of service bonus.