Attendance Officer

The Watkin; Wythenshawe; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

First Steps Together is seeking an Attendance Officer to manage day-to-day attendance administration and monitoring. You will work with pupils, parents and carers to understand barriers to attendance and support personalised attendance plans.

You’ll monitor attendance data, generate reports for leaders, and liaise with external professionals as required. This role emphasizes safeguarding, confidentiality and proactive problem solving to improve pupil engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in an administrative, school or pupil-facing support role.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and confidence using electronic records and information systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with pupils, families, colleagues and external professionals, including when discussing sensitive attendance concerns.
• Empathy, patience and a proactive, solution-focused approach.
• Previous experience of school attendance administration, Arbor or other school information systems, and supporting pupils with SEND or SEMH would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day administration and monitoring of pupil attendance.
• Ensure registers are accurate and follow up unexplained absences promptly.
• Collaborate with pupils, parents and carers to identify barriers to attendance and support plans.
• Monitor attendance data and produce reports for school leaders.

Skills

Administrative skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Data analysis

Tools

Arbor

Job description

For every journey, let’s take first steps together.

At First Steps Together, we believe every child and young person deserves to feel safe, supported, included and able to succeed.

We are a growing group of specialist independent schools supporting children and young people with SEND, SEMH and complex presentations. We create calm, consistent and inclusive environments where strong relationships, high expectations and personalised support help pupils overcome barriers and engage successfully in education.

As our Education provision grows, we are looking for a proactive and organised Attendance Officer to support pupil attendance, engagement and the effective administration of attendance procedures within the school.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day administration and monitoring of pupil attendance, ensuring registers are accurate, unexplained absences are followed up promptly and attendance concerns are identified and escalated appropriately.

You’ll work closely with pupils, parents and carers to understand barriers to attendance, including emotional, sensory, health and family-related circumstances. You’ll support personalised attendance plans, coordinate meetings and interventions, and help pupils overcome challenges to accessing education.

You’ll monitor and analyse attendance and punctuality data, identifying patterns of persistent or severe absence and producing accurate reports to support school leaders in improving attendance.

You’ll also liaise with local authorities and other external professionals, supporting statutory reporting, referrals and attendance interventions in line with Department for Education guidance and school procedures.

Working alongside pastoral, SEND and teaching colleagues, you'll help ensure attendance support is inclusive, relational and responsive to each pupil's individual needs, while recognising and escalating any safeguarding concerns.

Bring your difference

We’re looking for someone with experience in an administrative, school or pupil-facing support role, with strong organisational skills, attention to detail and confidence using electronic records and information systems.

You’ll be able to communicate effectively with pupils, families, colleagues and external professionals, including when discussing sensitive attendance concerns. You'll be confident analysing information, identifying emerging issues and maintaining accurate, confidential records.

You’ll bring empathy, patience and a proactive, solution-focused approach, combining positive relationships with clear expectations and a commitment to improving attendance and pupil outcomes.

Previous experience of school attendance administration, Arbor or other school information systems, and supporting pupils with SEND or SEMH would be an advantage.

Why First Steps Together?

You’ll join a supportive and growing specialist education group in a rewarding school-based, term-time role where you'll play an important part in helping pupils access and engage in education.

We’ll provide comprehensive induction and ongoing support, alongside training and development in attendance, safeguarding, SEND and pastoral practice, with opportunities for continued professional development and career progression.

Bring your difference. Take your next step with First Steps Together.

Safeguarding

First Steps Together is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment to this role will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment and pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS, satisfactory references, online checks and overseas police checks where required.

Supporting Documents

Application Form
Job Description and Person Specification