Head of Therapy and Pastoral Care

The Head of Therapy and Pastoral Care is a key member of The Winstedt School’s Leadership Team. This role leads and manages the delivery of therapy services and pastoral care, ensuring programmes and initiatives are thoughtfully developed, refined, and implemented to provide a holistic education aligned with The Winstedt School’s Vision, Mission, and Values.

Alongside departmental leadership and management responsibilities, the Head maintains close engagement with students by overseeing the integration of therapies and the delivery of the Social-Emotional Learning curriculum to selected students and classes.

The Therapy and Pastoral Care Department advances holistic education at The Winstedt School through its inter-disciplinary model using three pillars, and all of which are research and evidence based:

1. Maximizing impact on students through integrated Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Social-Emotional Learning programmes, interventions, and counselling sessions.
2. Empowering teachers, staff and parents through trainings, workshops, and clinical guidance.
3. Developing and implementing early intervention strategies and preventative Pastoral Care practices.

Reports to: School Principal and the School Advisory Board Member for Safeguarding

Works closely with: School Principal, Heads of School, Head of Admissions, and Head of Corporate Services

Directly manages: members of the Therapy and Pastoral Care departments, which includes the School Nurse and a Therapy Administrative Officer.

School Leadership Team Responsibilities:

• Take a leading role in the day-to-day implementation of the School Improvement Plan, participating in policy reviews and the strategic planning process, with a particular focus on advancing Therapy and Pastoral Care services to support the school’s growth as a leading progressive international school for students who think and learn differently.
• Evaluate existing Therapy and Pastoral Care services across the school and provide informed recommendations to enhance their integration and overall effectiveness.
• Maintain a visible presence around the school, regularly engaging with staff and students to model the school’s values and ensure that Therapy and Pastoral Care services consistently reflect the broader vision and mission of the school.
• Work in close collaboration with the Admissions Team to review select student applications, contribute to placement decisions, and participate in open houses to share the school’s integrated Therapy and Pastoral Care model with prospective families.
• Provide guidance to the Academic Board on integrating Therapy and Pastoral Care within the school’s learning approach, including input on professional development initiatives, research, and scholarship opportunities.
• Actively take part in regular meetings with Heads of School, the Head of Curriculum / Teaching & Learning, and weekly School Leadership Team sessions to support clear communication, track progress towards schoolwide strategic goals, and share updates from the Therapy and Pastoral Care department.

Operational Leadership

• Collaborate with Heads of School to lead the development of the Winstedt Integrated Support Programme (WISP), to ensure it serves as a central framework for supporting students and is consistently used as the primary reference in parent and carer meetings.
• Foster a culture of efficiency, resourcefulness, and collaboration among Therapy and Pastoral Care staff. Encourage innovation and accountability to ensure the highest standard of care and support for students.
• Oversee the implementation of departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring all systems and processes are clearly defined, effectively managed, and regularly reviewed for continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership in the management of departmental operations, including accurate maintenance of records, therapy and pastoral care calendars, and the efficient allocation of resources. Ensure all processes support optimal service delivery and alignment with schoolwide practices.
• Lead the coordination of accurate session tracking, revenue generation, and invoicing for supplemental therapy and pastoral care services, working in close collaboration with the school’s finance and administrative teams.
• Write detailed clinical reports and ensure a high standard of report writing across the Therapy and Pastoral Care team.
• Enhance communication within the Therapy and Pastoral Care department and with the broader community ensuring clear, consistent messaging. This includes in-person meetings, written communication, and sharing policies and procedures, with regular monitoring.
• Facilitate regular multidisciplinary team meetings, promoting collaboration between therapy and pastoral care professionals. Ensure a cohesive, integrated approach to student support and case management.
• Work closely with Heads of School and members of The Winstedt School community to seamlessly integrate Therapy and Pastoral Care services into the curriculum, ensuring support strategies are individualised and aligned with students’ learning goals.
• Plan, lead, and develop mentor group programmes, workshops, training sessions within the department and school as needed.
• Actively participate in school events, contributing to the wider school culture and creating positive relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Ensure compliance with The Winstedt School’s policies and procedures across all areas of the TPC department, consistently modelling professional standards and leading by example.

Therapy Department Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary liaison to parents on behalf of the school, on student therapy support and interventions.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to recruit, interview, and hire qualified Therapists as required.
• Oversee the probationary and annual performance appraisals for the Therapy and Pastoral Care (TPC) team.
• Provide professional and managerial leadership which ensures the provision and development of efficient and effective TPC services in the areas of Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy.
• Develop, implement, and maintain TPC services, including clinical policies and guidelines, ensuring alignment with the Singapore Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) standards.
• Provide supervision, training, and evaluation for all TPC staff.
• Offer and document internal professional development opportunities for therapists and counsellors, including project development, INSET Day presentations, workshops, or feedback to colleagues regarding course or workshop attendance.
• Conduct audits in line with AHPC regulations, EduTrust standards, and other relevant regulatory bodies to ensure proper record-keeping, inventory management, case management, maintenance of Therapy equipment, and compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Ensure that AHPC Code of Professional Conduct is adhered to by the Therapy team.
• Ensure that team members hold current registration with their respective professional bodies and implement and maintain registration.
• Devise and monitor evidence-based practice and reflective practice across the school.
• Stay informed about the guidelines and rules of external professionals and agencies working in partnership with the school, such as MOH (Ministry of Health), MOE (Ministry of Education), CPE (Committee for Private Education), EduTrust, and other local governing bodies.
• Implement and maintain supervision practices in line with the AHPC Singapore supervisory framework and stay up to date with mandatory legislation from AHPC, MOE, MOH, CPE, and EduTrust.

Pastoral Care Department Responsibilities:

• Act as the main point of contact for parents regarding student social-emotional and behavioural support, offering guidance and intervention to ensure a collaborative approach in supporting student well-being.
• Manage the daily operations of the department, focusing on staff performance, training, and professional development, in collaboration with external supervisors as needed, to ensure staff stay updated on best practices in pastoral care.
• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to interview, select, and hire qualified Psychologists, School Counsellors, and Behaviour Therapists ensuring the team has the right expertise to support students effectively.
• Ensure the effective implementation of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding policies, consistently monitoring and maintaining systems and procedures to safeguard the well-being of all students.
• Serve as the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, taking responsibility for safeguarding issues and ensuring the safety and welfare of students is always a top priority.
• Collaborate with the Relationships and Health Education (RSHE) Coordinator to ensure the successful implementation of the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum throughout the school, ensuring it meets the needs of all students and is embedded throughout the educational experience.
• Oversee the development and management of the 2e programme, known as Curie-Einstein, ensuring it is effectively tailored to support students with learning differences.
• Identify, organise, and lead relevant training and workshops for parents and teachers, providing them with the knowledge and tools to better support students with learning differences and other pastoral needs.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Strong belief and commitment to The Winstedt School’s Vision, Mission and Values.
• Bachelor’s and master’s degree in Speech and Language or Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Counselling, Education, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in a similar role.
• Demonstrated track record of leading a team of up to 10 professionals.
• Experience of multi-tiered support programmes, ideally in a school setting.
• Experience of leading and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of working closely with transdisciplinary teams to provide holistic support.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• As a member of the School’s Leadership Team, be visibly present around school by visiting lessons, meeting students and staff and supporting with duties and school events.
• Strong leadership skills encompassing flexibility, the ability to work in a culturally diverse team, integrity, and initiative.
• The role is full-time.
• As a member of the SLT, role model and help lead The Winstedt Way of learning: our unique approach to learning, in its broadest sense, which is based on our integrated model – combining our academics with our therapy and pastoral care.
• Act as an ambassador for The Winstedt School, representing its values and mission within and outside the school community.
• Please note that a background check and reference verification will be conducted for this position as part of our safeguarding procedure.