Proactive Pastoral Care

Steeped in research and yet utterly practical, this has to be the essential text for any staff wanting to know about wellbeing in schools. -- Daniel Sobel * CEO, Inclusion Expert * A wonderful book written by a highly experienced pastoral leader. Everyone interested in pastoral care in schools should read it. -- Professor Barnaby Lenon * Dean of Education, University of Buckingham, @barnabylenon * In writing this work, Maria has combined her pastoral passion with a deep empathy for children’s needs. Teamed with a forensic analysis of her subject matter, Maria has authored a 'must-read' text for anyone who cares about making pastoral care a priority. -- Andrew Cowley * Deputy headteacher and author of 'The Wellbeing Toolkit', @andrew_cowley23 * Proactive Pastoral Care resets the dial in the post-COVID world for what it means to educate and nurture young people in schools. Let this book be your practical guide in rediscovering how to build a culture of love and support which seeks to build capacity in our young people. -- Mike Buchanan * Founder of PositivelyLeading, Chair of the European Positive Education Network, @PosiLeading * Maria explores in a compelling way the importance of being proactive in our pastoral care structures, systems and practices. This fully researched and well-informed book should be invaluable to individuals and organisations committed to ensuring that our schools are supportive, caring communities in which pupils and staff thrive. -- Jill Berry * leadership development consultant and former headteacher, @jillberry102 * Maria has so much knowledge around mental health and pastoral support and has a real heart to make sure people get the care they deserve. Proactive Pastoral Care does not disappoint; filled with practical advice it is a book for anyone who is looking into the way they do pastoral care. Whether you are just starting out in pastoral support or have been doing these roles for years, this book will offer you something new and transform the way you deliver it. -- Hope Virgo * author and founder of #DumpTheScales, @HopeVirgo * This book will inspire and motivate everybody working with young people to develop a proactive approach to pastoral care that supports learners in achieving their full potential. -- Phil Jones * National Chair of The National Association for Pastoral Care in Education (NAPCE), @PJEducation * Maria has written a book which is very easy to read. As a governor, it has helped me formulate questions I can ask my school leaders about pastoral care in my schools. -- Naureen Khalid * Trustee and governor, @5Naureen * I don’t think anyone disagrees that pupils who feel happy and safe are more likely to be successful learners but putting this into action is not always straightforward and often support becomes reactive rather than proactive. In this book, Maria has managed to bring together a wide range of research and suggests approaches that are both practical and evidence based. Recommended to anyone with an interested in improving pastoral care in their school – which should be everyone! -- Andrew Wright * Headmaster, Bablake School * A concise guide, this book explores several aspects of pastoral care including what is wellbeing, wellbeing theories, character education, parental engagement, curriculum delivery, e-safety, and measuring impact. With wellbeing now a compulsory aspect of both the primary and secondary curriculum, this book can be used to evaluate a school’s policies and procedures as well as providing strategies, practical research-based activities and resources suitable for tutor time, assemblies and PHSE lessons. With questions to prompt reflection and further action, this is useful addition to the staff library. -- Barbara Band * barbaraband.com * Proactive Pastoral Care by @Maria0Neill is the must go to text for pastoral leaders, written from the point of view of authenticity, empathy and values determined leadership. -- Andrew Cowley, author of The Wellbeing Curriculum