Link Worker (Day pupils only)

Job Title: Link Worker

Reports to: The Principal through the Assistant Head of Safeguarding, via the Unit Manager.

What you can expect in a Link Worker role at Meadows School:

Key Activities:

• To ensure a ‘consistent’ framework and approach to the management of pupils’ challenging behaviour across the school.
• Become a trusted key adult for young people – acting as a keyworker and providing emotional support, guidance and a safe point of contact outside the classroom.
• Support students’ wider development, not just education – helping with life skills such as independent travel, budgeting, self-motivation, confidence and social development.
• Work closely with teachers, families and professionals – maintaining regular communication with tutors, parents/carers, local authorities and external agencies.
• Monitor and track pupil progress and wellbeing – keeping detailed records, contributing to assessments and raising concerns where necessary.
• Encourage engagement with learning and school life – supporting attendance, participation and helping pupils connect positively with the school ethos.
• Play an active safeguarding and pastoral role – identifying concerns, recording child protection issues appropriately and following safeguarding procedures.
• Help manage behaviour and support challenging situations – using approved approaches (including TCI training) and demonstrating emotional resilience.
• Support pupils beyond the classroom environment – including breakfast club, trips, residential activities, travel training and escorting students on transport where required.

Key Responsibilities:

• To act as keyworker for allocated students and hold regular one-to-one support sessions.
• Communicate regularly with parents/carers, tutors and external professionals to support pupil progress and wellbeing.
• Maintain accurate records, reports and pupil assessments in line with school and organisational policies.
• Attend meetings, supervision sessions and training as required.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and contribute to team discussions and planning.
• Support and supervise pupils during breakfast club and structured activities.
• Escort and transport pupils safely, including use of project vehicles and public transport where required.
• Travel across multiple locations, including across London and outside London where necessary to support pupils and attend activities.
• Organise and participate in educational visits and residential trips.
• Respond calmly, safely and professionally to challenging behaviour and implement agreed behaviour support approaches.
• Work flexibly in line with service needs and contract requirements, including flexibility in working hours and location.
• Attend meetings, events and activities outside normal working hours where required.
• Complete mandatory training and achieve Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Children & Young People) if not already held. •Promote equal opportunities, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice at all times.
• Work in accordance with safeguarding requirements, staff code of conduct and local safety procedures.
• Work collaboratively with the child-facing team using a whole-team approach to support young people’s engagement, wellbeing and progress. Provide support within lessons, learning activities and examinations where required, ensuring consistent implementation of agreed strategies and individual support plans. Liaise with internal and external professionals as appropriate and make referrals to social care services in line with safeguarding procedures and organisational policy.

How you’ll work:

• The role requires a current and full driving license.

Who you’ll work with:

Internal: Other colleagues within the school External: External agencies, including social care and SEN departments

This Job Description outlines the current responsibilities of the role, which may be adjusted in response to departmental needs. The post-holder may be required to undertake additional duties commensurate with the salary and competency requirements of the role as necessary. Line managers are responsible for performance management, absence management, and any other process captured as a part of our policies.

Qualifications & Knowledge:

• GCSE English or equivalent (E).
• A good knowledge and understanding of basic child development.
• Knowledge and understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues.
• Knowledge of educational practice with a challenging client group.
• Knowledge and understanding of anti-discriminatory practice.
• Able to communicate clearly both orally and in writing with a wide range of audiences, including through reports.
• Ability to type and use basic IT software.

Experience & Skills:

All are essential to the role of Link Worker at Meadows School

• Able to drive project vehicles. (E)
• Able to record information clearly and concisely. (E)
• Must be able to consistently work effectively in challenging situations and demonstrate positive personal authority. (E)
• Able to work both to instruction and take initiative. (E)
• Provide young people with a positive role model. (E)
• Resilient and able to work with challenging young people in a positive manner. (E)

Our Values & Behaviours:

Actively demonstrate Barnardo’s Values & Behaviours, and compliance with our EDI Policy and Code of Conduct in all areas of work:

• Respecting the unique worth of every person
• Encouraging people to fulfil their potential
• Working with hope
• Exercising responsible stewardship

How to apply:

https://jobs.barnardos.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/learning-support-assistant–23186/24136/description/

Contact Sam Taylor for further information: Sam.taylor@meadowsschool.org.uk

Barnardo’s Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. Our safer recruitment processes mean that the safety and welfare of the child is paramount at every stage of the process and therefore we adopt rigorous scrutiny in our pre-employment checking. Applicants must be willing to undergo relevant pre-employment checks, including references being taken up prior to interview and for the successful candidate, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education Statutory Guidance.

As part of your application, you will need to provide full details of your employment since leaving secondary education, starting with your current or most recent employment first and then by working backwards, including reasons for leaving. Please also include any periods of voluntary work and/or training, providing reasons for any periods not in employment, education or training.