Attendance and Welfare Officer

Ellesmere College; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A supportive school in the East Midlands is seeking an experienced Attendance and Welfare Officer to join their busy administration team. The successful candidate will support pupil attendance and welfare, liaise with agencies, and maintain accurate records. Required qualifications include experience in an educational setting and GCSEs in Maths and English. The role offers a permanent contract with 37 hours of work weekly, emphasizing collaboration within a team to enhance pupil wellbeing.

Benefits

Comprehensive wellbeing package

Access to professional development programmes

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience in attendance and/or welfare support within an education setting.
• Strong knowledge of attendance monitoring, safeguarding procedures, and pastoral care.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Act as the central contact for attendance and welfare referrals.
• Monitor and support pupils with attendance concerns.
• Liaise with external agencies regarding attendance and welfare.

Skills

Excellent administrative skills

Very good computer skills

Ability to multi-task

Excellent communication skills

Education

GCSEs in Maths and English or equivalent

Tools

ICT skills

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic Attendance and Welfare Officer (Level 3) to join our busy School Administration Team. This role would ideally suit someone with excellent administrative skills, good attention to detail, very good computer skills and an ability to multi‑task. You will also have the ability to develop good working relationships with children, parents, colleagues and external members.

This is a permanent position for 37 hours per week, 40 weeks per year. This includes INSET days and one week during the school holidays. The hours of work will be 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the central contact for attendance and welfare referrals from teaching and pastoral staff
• Monitor and support pupils with attendance concerns and welfare needs to promote full-time education
• Liaise closely with the Local Authority’s Education Welfare Officer and other external agencies
• Maintain accurate, confidential and up to date records of pupil attendance and welfare cases
• Conduct home visits and communicate with parents / carers to investigate and address attendance issues
• Support the schools medical room operations, including knowledge of first aid and medical conditions
• Ensure compliance with the school and Leicester City Council policies relating to attendance, welfare and safeguarding
• Manage information exchange for pupils transferring between schools within the local authority
• Collaborate with staff to raise awareness and adherence to attendance and welfare policies
• Provide feedback and reports to pastoral staff and senior leadership on attendance trends and welfare concerns
• Attend case discussions and multiagency meetings as required
• Promote positive relationships between pupils, parents, school and external agencies to enhance pupil wellbeing

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience in attendance and / or welfare support within an education setting
• Evidence of GCSEs in Maths and English or equivalent
• Strong knowledge of attendance monitoring, safeguarding procedures, and pastoral care
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
• Experience of liaising with external agencies, including Local Authority Education Welfare Officers
• Sensitive to the requirements of disadvantaged groups and children with special educational needs
• Must be able to work under pressure and prioritise workload
• Must be willing to make home visits and engage the family in dealing with child attendance / welfare issues
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with pupils, parents, staff and external professionals
• Competence in maintaining accurate records and managing case files
• Ability to undertake home visits and handle potentially sensitive family situations professionally
• Willingness to broaden their knowledge of medical conditions to support the student cohort

Essential Qualities

• A compassionate and empathetic approach to supporting pupils and families
• The ability to manage competing priorities
• A proactive and solution focused mindset
• Commitment to promoting inclusion and equality within a diverse school community
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Knowledge of Leicester City Council policies and the procedures relating to pupil welfare and attendance
• Prioritises their own continued professional development
• Excellent ICT skills

Why work for Ellesmere College?

We provide education for up to 439 children and young people, from 4 to 19 years, with a range of moderate to complex learning difficulties.

This is a very exciting time for Ellesmere College as we continue to expand from 1 site to 3 sites. We have now settled into our Knighton Fields Centre and our Post-16 provision plans are in place for a new site. These additional sites provide bespoke educational opportunities for our Post-16 students and our students with the most complex needs, in particular those with communication and interaction difficulties including complex autism.

Ellesmere College

Is a supportive and friendly environment committed to staff and student wellbeing.

Offers a high quality professional development programme

Has a committed and enthusiastic staff and governor team.

Is a school where partnerships with home and other agencies are seen as vital in supporting individual students to achieve their full potential.

Is a place where excellence is the norm.

Has a comprehensive wellbeing package including access to free counselling, physiotherapy, GPs, legal advice etc.

If you would like to join us, we would love to hear from you. If you would like to chat more about the role please contact Emma Mulligan, Office Manager.

How to apply

Please apply using the online form and outline in the supporting statement section why you are the right person for this post taking account of your skills, qualifications and experience.

Closing date

9.30am on Monday 12th January

Interview date

Tuesday 27th January

Safeguarding Statement

Ellesmere College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff to adhere to this commitment. Applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.