Relational Practice Assistant - St Jude's Church of England Primary School

Job Description

St Jude's Church of England Primary School

JOB TITLE: Relational Practice Assistant

SALARY: Band 5 - (£26,473-£28,239 FTE) £17,065-£18,203 Actual

WORKING PATTERN: Term time only

HOURS: 8.00am to 2.00pm (30 mins unpaid break)

CLOSING DATE: 13 November 2025 at 12 noon

We are seeking to appoint a Relational Practice Assistant to join our inclusion team. This is a high-impact, Band 5 role, for an experienced Learning Support Assistant (LSA), who excels in supporting the most vulnerable children to access learning and manage behaviour as a dedicated Key Worker.

Purpose:

To foster a supportive, inclusive learning environment by actively helping pupils build positive relationships and engage effectively in their learning.

To work alongside colleagues to support with strategies for pupils, who need additional provision to access the curriculum.

The Role:

You will be integral to embedding our whole-school relational practice approach, providing targeted, high-quality support to pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs or other barriers to learning. You will use your experience to be a consistent, trustworthy adult, who builds, maintains and repairs essential relationships, ensuring our most vulnerable pupils can thrive.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is an experienced LSA with a proven track record of supporting vulnerable children's access to the curriculum.
• Has a deep understanding of, and commitment to, Relational and Restorative Practice principles.
• Can confidently take on a Key Worker role for pupils with challenging behaviour, implementing agreed support plans and interventions.
• Is a highly resilient, compassionate, and reflective team player.
• Is able to support the Christian ethos of the school.
• Has initiative and can make effective decisions in the moment.
• Can communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Is an advocate for the most vulnerable children.

The school can provide:

• A supportive and effective team of colleagues.
• Children who are well supported by parents and respond well to school expectations.
• Opportunities for training and development suitable to the role.
• A highly skilled leadership team, who are proactive and visible each day.

St Jude's CE Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level, and any other background checks, including overseas checks, will be required prior to any offer of employment.

To apply please read the job description and complete the attached application form and return it to hellis@st-judes.portsmouth.sch.uk by 13 November 2025 at 12 noon. Alternatively, you can post your application to Mrs Helen Ellis, HR & Admin Manager, St Jude's CE Primary School, St Nicholas Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2NZ

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

As part of any recruitment process, St Jude's CE Primary School collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. St Jude's CE Primary School is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Completing and sending an application in for a vacancy is your consent for us to process your data for the purpose of recruitment. Your data is not used in any other way and you can withdraw your consent at any point in the recruitment process and we will destroy or delete your information. For more detailed information on what we collect, how we use, store, delete data and your rights you can access a privacy statement on our web site.

You will need to demonstrate that you have a Right to Work in the UK.

No post will be offered without it.

We would like to thank you in advance for your application, however please note we will only contact those applicants shortlisted for interview.

Job Description

Application Form

Portsmouth City Council provides public services including education, social care, planning, parks, housing, events, libraries and museums across the city of Portsmouth on the south coast.