Community Support Partner - Term Time - Special Needs Position

The Orchard School, Canterbury

• Ref:KCC886-7062-264S
• Posted:20/06/2025
• Pay:KSC + SEN Allowance
• Start Date:Sept 2025
• App Close Date:07/07/2025 at 23:15
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

Community Support Partner (CSP) 

The Orchard School is seeking a compassionate, resilient and proactive Community Support Partner to join our dedicated and expanding support team. 

This is a key role, offering a unique opportunity to make a daily difference to the lives of pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. You will work closely with class teams, SEND colleagues and leaders to provide trauma-informed, relational support that helps pupils feel safe, valued and ready to learn. 

The Orchard School is a mixed special school for pupils with emotional, social, mental health and associated learning difficulties. Our school is guided by the belief that Everyone Matters, Everyone Cares. The Orchard Way ensures that we respond to behaviour as communication, prioritise relationships and meet the SEMH needs of our pupils through skilled, therapeutic practice. 

We are proud of our committed staff team and our pupils’ courage, curiosity and progress. 

Post details: 

• 37 hours per week – Term time only plus 5 CPD days 

• Working hours: 8.30am – 3.30pm 

• Salary: KSC Pro-rata £21,911.16  (FTE £25,252.00) + SEN Allowance £1,484.97 

• Fixed term or permanent contract depending on experience and deployment 

Essential Requirements: 

• A minimum of GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths, Grade A*–C 

• A strong understanding of trauma-informed and relational approaches 

• A commitment to working therapeutically with pupils who have high levels of emotional need 

• Confidence working both independently and as part of a wider team 

• Personal resilience, reflective practice and a sense of humour 

About the Role: 

• You will support pupils throughout the day in class, in unstructured times and during key transitions 

• You will help create calm, safe environments and build consistent relationships that enable pupils to feel secure 

• You will contribute to daily team briefings and debriefs to share insight, review impact and agree next steps 

• You will model The Orchard Way through calm, kind and clear adult behaviour 

• You will reinforce our school rules: Ready – Respectful – Safe 

• You will be supported through tailored CPD and supervision as part of the Community Support Team (CST) 

If you believe that connection builds safety, that behaviour is communication, and that every child deserves to be seen, heard and supported—this is your opportunity to be part of a school where your work matters every day. 

Apply via Kent Teach or contact the school for an informal conversation. 

Information about the school

The Orchard School is a cross-phase special school for primary and secondary-aged pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, often alongside associated learning difficulties.

We are proud to be a therapeutic and inclusive school community, guided by The Orchard Way, where relationships come first, behaviour is understood as communication, and every pupil is supported to grow and thrive.

At The Orchard School, Everyone Matters, Everyone Cares. Our Mission, Vision and Values are at the heart of everything we do—shaping our approach to learning, support and personal development. We are committed to nurturing pupils’ social, emotional and mental health through trust, belonging, aspiration, voice, pride and curiosity.

Our pupils come from across East Kent and beyond. They are supported by a dedicated team who work closely with families, professionals and each other to ensure every learner feels safe, valued and empowered to succeed.

We are on an exciting journey of continuous improvement. Join us as we grow together—through compassion, clarity and purpose.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Cherith Stibbe
• Address:Cambridge Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3QQ
• Telephone: 01227 769220
• Email: cstibbe@orchard.kent.sch.uk

Fax: 01227 781589

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Job Description
• Person Specification