Attendance Support Officer – EK

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Wales; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington Blake Recruitment is seeking an Attendance Support Officer to work across schools, learning centres and the community to improve attendance, attainment and engagement. The role involves home visits, data analysis and multi-agency collaboration.

The post holder will address barriers to attendance, implement Attendance Improvement Plans and contribute to safeguarding. You will liaise with schools, families and partner agencies to promote inclusive education and ensure pupils receive

Qualifications

• At least five GCSEs at Grade C or above, or equivalent.
• Relevant qualification or significant equivalent experience in education, youth work, community work, social care, health and social care, family support or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and the ability to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns.
• Ability to analyse and interpret attendance data to identify concerns and determine interventions.
• Experience of undertaking home visits and working with families in community settings.

Responsibilities

• Identify and address non-attendance and persistent absence with schools and families.
• Undertake home visits to establish reasons for absence and support return to education.
• Explain attendance expectations and consequences of continued non-attendance to parents/carers and youth.
• Mentor pupils to overcome anxiety and barriers to engagement with education.
• Develop and deliver Attendance Improvement Plans and monitor progress and outcomes.

Skills

Experience with children and families

Education/youth work environment

Safeguarding knowledge

Data analysis

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Record keeping

Independent work

Education

GCSEs at Grade C or above

Related qualification or significant experience

Tools

SIMS/MIS systems

Job description

Job Description – Attendance Support Officer

Job Title: Attendance Support Officer
Department: Education and Early Intervention
Service/Team: Education Social Work
Location: School-based / Learning Centre / Community
DBS: Enhanced/appropriate DBS check required

Job Purpose

The Attendance Support Officer will work with schools, pupils, parents/carers and partner agencies to improve school attendance, attainment and engagement.

The postholder will identify and address barriers preventing children and young people from attending their educational provision, providing targeted support and interventions to improve attendance and reduce persistent absence.

The role involves undertaking home visits, supporting Attendance Improvement Plans, analysing attendance data, completing attendance audits and working collaboratively with schools and external agencies.

The postholder will also identify and raise safeguarding concerns and contribute to ensuring that children and young people receive an appropriate education and are protected from risks associated with persistent non-attendance.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with schools, pupils, parents/carers and Education Social Workers to identify and address non-attendance and persistent absence.
• Undertake home visits to establish the reasons for absence, engage families and support pupils to successfully return to education.
• Explain attendance expectations, relevant legislation and the potential consequences of continued non-attendance to parents/carers and young people.
• Act as a mentor and trusted professional for pupils, helping them overcome anxiety, barriers and other issues affecting their engagement with education.
• Build positive and constructive relationships with parents/carers and encourage their involvement in improving their child’s attendance.
• Develop and deliver targeted attendance interventions and Attendance Improvement Plans (AIPs), monitoring progress and outcomes.
• Analyse attendance information and data to identify pupils requiring intervention and evaluate the effectiveness of attendance strategies.
• Complete attendance audits within schools, reviewing systems, processes and procedures in line with relevant attendance frameworks and guidance.
• Provide schools with advice and recommendations regarding the effective recording, monitoring and management of attendance.
• Liaise with Education Social Workers, schools, Children’s Services, Youth Justice, Police and relevant voluntary and community organisations to coordinate appropriate support.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, including Pastoral Support Plans, reintegration meetings, Team Around the Child meetings and social care meetings.
• Identify safeguarding concerns during contact with pupils and families and take appropriate action in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive case records, attendance records, correspondence and intervention data.
• Produce reports and statistical information regarding attendance, interventions and outcomes for schools and the Education and Early Intervention service.
• Contribute to the preparation of information and evidence required for legal proceedings relating to school non-attendance where appropriate.
• Research and share effective approaches, models and good practice for improving attendance.
• Provide support to relevant Youth Justice education programmes and interventions where required.
• Attend training, team meetings and professional development activities to maintain and enhance knowledge and skills.
• Undertake other reasonable duties and projects relating to attendance, engagement and educational inclusion as required.

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience of working with children, young people and families, particularly those who may be vulnerable or hard to reach.
• Experience of working within an education, youth, social care, family support or related environment.
• Understanding of the factors that can contribute to poor attendance, persistent absence and disengagement from education.
• Experience of undertaking home visits and/or working directly with families in community settings.
• Experience of supporting children and young people to overcome barriers and improve engagement with education.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and the ability to identify and appropriately respond to safeguarding concerns.
• Ability to analyse and interpret attendance and other relevant data to identify concerns and determine appropriate interventions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with pupils, parents/carers and professionals.
• Ability to manage challenging conversations and situations in a professional and sensitive manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively with schools and multi-agency partners.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and manage confidential information.
• Ability to work independently, organise competing priorities and manage a varied caseload.
• Good IT skills and experience using databases, management information systems or attendance monitoring systems.

Qualifications

Essential:

• At least five GCSEs at Grade C or above, or equivalent.
• Relevant qualification or significant equivalent experience in education, youth work, community work, social care, health and social care, family support or a related discipline.

Desirable:

• Level 4 qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Coaching, mentoring or equivalent qualification.
• Relevant qualification or training in safeguarding, attendance, education welfare or family support.

Knowledge

The postholder should have knowledge and understanding of:

• School attendance and the barriers that can prevent children and young people from accessing education.
• Relevant education, safeguarding and social care legislation and guidance.
• Attendance improvement strategies and interventions.
• Safeguarding children and young people.
• Multi-agency working and partnership approaches.
• Attendance monitoring systems and school management information systems.
• Data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Equality, diversity and inclusive practice.

Knowledge of systems such as SIMS or similar school attendance/MIS systems would be desirable.

Personal Skills and Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A child-centred and solution-focused approach.
• The ability to build trusting relationships with children, young people and families.
• Resilience when working with challenging and complex situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High levels of discretion, confidentiality and professional judgement.
• The ability to assess situations, identify risks and escalation concerns appropriately.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A commitment to continuous professional development.

Safeguarding

The postholder has a responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people encountered during the course of their work.

The role involves regular contact with children, young people and families, including home visits and work with vulnerable individuals. The postholder must understand and follow relevant safeguarding procedures and report concerns promptly through the appropriate channels.

Working Arrangements

The role will involve working across schools, educational settings and the wider community.

The postholder will undertake regular home visits and may be required to work independently in potentially challenging environments. The role therefore requires the ability to travel across the relevant area and undertake lone working in accordance with organisational policies and risk assessments.

The successful candidate must be able to respond flexibly to changing priorities, urgent safeguarding concerns and complex family circumstances.

Equality and Diversity

The postholder will be required to work in accordance with the organisation’s Equality and Diversity policies and demonstrate a commitment to promoting equality of opportunity and inclusive practice.

Health and Safety

The postholder will be required to comply with all relevant health and safety policies and procedures, including lone-working procedures and risk assessments.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

The postholder will handle sensitive personal and safeguarding information and must maintain strict confidentiality at all times. All information must be managed in accordance with relevant data protection legislation, organisational policies and procedures.

Other Duties

The duties outlined above are not exhaustive. The postholder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the level and general responsibilities of the role.

The organisation reserves the right to review and amend the duties of the post in consultation with the postholder to reflect changing service requirements.