Senior Pastoral Officer

Welcome to Ada! 

We are the UK’s top-performing National College for Digital Skills, shaping the next generation of digital pioneers. With campuses in central London and Manchester, we offer a high-achieving, positive learning environment where students are highly motivated, have excellent attendance, and demonstrate exemplary behaviour, allowing teachers to focus entirely on their subject specialism in disruption-free classrooms.

At Ada, we believe in breaking barriers and opening doors by connecting our students with the best of problem-solvers, creators, and innovators.

Main Responsibilities:

Review and develop our current attendance framework to ensure we are compliant and meeting the needs of all learners;

• Provide advice and guidance to staff on communication and follow-up of attendance and punctuality 
• Monitor and report on student attendance and punctuality on a weekly basis, reporting concerns to the Assistant Principal and Principal as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with students, parents and college leaders to create and track students’ individual attendance and/or punctuality plans
• Establish and maintain positive relationships and engagement with parents/carers
• Arrange Attendance Concern meetings with students/ parents and carers
• Line management responsibilities 

Pastoral and SEND

• Providing pastoral support, advice and guidance to students when requested or when a need is identified and to those students on Education Health Care Plans (EHCP)
• Report student concerns to the safeguarding lead, actively contributing to safeguarding at the college. 
• Work with teachers, senior leaders, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders to access all required documentation about students to ensure the College fully understands their personal, emotional, social and learning needs.
• Monitoring individual progression of all assigned students against agreed targets set by the curriculum, including taking action to support students who have attendance concerns, under‐performing or experiencing pastoral concerns
• Support the sixth form leadership team to address disciplinary issues, including participation in meetings and evidence gathering whilst ensuring that all relevant college staff are informed of agreed targeted actions in support of the student’s performance.
• Support the SEND specialist / SENDCo with annual reviews for students with Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs)
• Supporting the sixth form team leads during check-ins and team time
• Supporting and contributing to the Enrichment club provision at the college.
• Provide support to the sixth form team in delivering a successful induction on enrolment of new cohorts. 
• Organising and administering parents and carers meetings
• Providing support to the sixth form team on delivering the future programme, to secure the best possible destinations for all of our students

Administration and overall organisational support

• Ensure all support actions are recorded on the College’s appropriate central information systems
• Provide general administrative support for the sixth form team and wider college
• To support the organisation and delivery of themed events, including open evenings, activities and trips organised and managed by the sixth form team
• Provide support for the front of house / receptionist team, covering reception when needed.
• Provide administrative support for the recruitment of students at assessment centres.
• Provide administrative support to the sixth form team for those students who are in receipt of financial support.
• Provide first aid support, including liaising with or training to become a First Aider.
• Provide fire safety support, including liaising with or training to become a Fire Warden or Fire Marshall

Essential Experience

• Evidence of the Ada values: Creativity, Curiosity, Collaboration, Resilience and Rigour
• Experience working with young adults (14–24 years)
• Monitoring and reporting on student or employee progress
• Addressing and successfully challenging young people’s behaviour
• Establish and maintain positive relationships and engagement with young people, parents and carers and colleagues 

Desirable Experience:

• Experience supporting young people with personal and emotional well-being. i.e. Mental health
• Working knowledge of relevant policies/codes of practice
• Motivating and engaging a variety of young people. 
• Experience of supporting vulnerable or at-risk young people
• Coaching or mentoring experience

Personal Qualities, Aptitudes and Skills:

• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• A passion for supporting young people and their wellbeing
• Strong collaborative working skills
• High level of proficiency in the use of day-to-day IT systems
• Good workplace skills and experience such as written skills, teamwork, project management, communication
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• An interest in technology and the digital industry

Safeguarding

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check when appointed to the post. References for shortlisted candidates will be requested prior to the interview day. 

 Equal opportunities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the College’s commitment to equality and diversity:

• To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;
• To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;
• To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the College are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;
• To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation;
• To promote good relations between individuals from different groups.

Applicants with disabilities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please the HR team.

Sponsorship

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role, so we can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.

Closing Date: April 15th 2025 at 12.00pm

Good luck with your application.