Children's Welfare Officer

Rochdale Council; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Crossgates Primary School is seeking a Children’s Welfare Officer with Attendance Champion responsibilities to lead health, safety, attendance and pupil well‑being. You will be a senior member of the School Leadership Team with safeguarding duties, driving proactive support for families and coordinating attendance improvement efforts.

You will work across the school community to design targeted interventions, monitor attendance data, and report regularly to the Headteacher and Governing Board.

Qualifications

• Compassionate leadership guiding child welfare, attendance and safeguarding decisions.
• Evidence-based decision making in safeguarding and attendance situations.
• Strong communication to build trust with pupils, parents and staff.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead on safeguarding, attendance, and early help as part of the Designated Safeguarding Team.
• Engage with families to remove barriers to regular attendance and wellbeing.
• Represent the Headteacher at multi‑agency meetings and child protection conferences.
• Develop targeted interventions and monitor attendance data for improvements.
• Collate data and report to the Governing Board on welfare and attendance.
• Coordinate cross‑agency liaison and contribute to wider community support.

Skills

Compassionate leadership

Professional initiative

Community engagement

Growth mindset

Job description

Grade: Grade 7 (SCP 25 - 29)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 Hours Per Week

Working Pattern: Term Time (+ 2 Weeks)

Actual Salary: £32,881 - £36,045

Interview Date: 12th November 2026

Role: Children's Welfare Officer with Attendance Champion responsibilities

About Us

Crossgates Primary School is a thriving, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment. Following our March 2023 Ofsted inspection, where Crossgates was judged 'Good' with Outstanding areas, we are actively building on our success in this exciting next chapter of our journey.

Inclusion lies at the very heart of our vision. Our work is guided by our four core school values: Community, Effort, Growth, and Compassion. We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated Children's Welfare Officer & Attendance Champion who shares these values and will champion the health, safety, attendance, and emotional well‑being of every child.

Role Overview

As a vital member of our School Leadership Team and Designated Safeguarding Team, you will serve as the lead professional for children's welfare, early help, attendance, and child protection. You will show relentless effort and unwavering compassion when handling complex welfare cases, making proactive, informed decisions that protect our pupils and empower families. Working collaboratively across our school community, you will design and deliver key support networks that enable every child to overcome barriers, attend school consistently, and achieve personal growth.

Key Focus: Attendance Lead

As the Attendance Champion, you will promote a positive, supportive culture of regular school attendance and punctuality, recognising that every day in school is vital for children's learning, well‑being, and personal growth. In this aspect of the role, you will:

• Monitor & Analyse: Track attendance data proactively within the Inclusive Attendance model, identifying patterns early to put targeted support in place.
• Compassionate Family Engagement: Work closely with parents and carers to understand individual circumstances, remove barriers to regular attendance, and build strong partnerships.
• Promote a Positive Culture: Lead whole‑school attendance initiatives and celebrations that foster a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
• Multi‑Agency & Statutory Liaison: Lead on statutory attendance processes, formal meetings, court proceedings, and regular reporting to the Headteacher and Governing Board.

Key Responsibilities

• Safeguarding Leadership: Serve as a key member of the Designated Safeguarding Team, leading on all matters relating to safeguarding, child protection, attendance, and early help.
• Community Engagement: Foster collaborative, empathetic relationships with staff, children, families, and external agencies to strengthen wrap‑around support.
• Advocacy & Representation: Make measured, well‑informed decisions on behalf of the Headteacher at Child Protection Conferences, multi‑agency panels, and Court proceedings.
• Targeted Interventions: Deliver or signpost effective support programmes for children and families to encourage positive outcomes and personal growth.
• Responsive Action: Efficiently manage and prioritise high‑volume and urgent workloads, remaining calm, decisive, and compassionate under pressure.
• Reporting & Governance: Collate attendance and welfare data, providing regular analytical reports to the Governing Board.

What We Are Looking For

• Compassionate Leadership: A candidate who leads with empathy, putting the safety, attendance, and welfare of children at the centre of every decision.
• Professional Effort & Initiative: A proactive individual capable of making confident, evidence‑based decisions in complex safeguarding and attendance situations.
• Commitment to Community: An excellent communicator who builds trust with pupils, parents, colleagues, and external partners.
• Dedication to Growth: A forward‑thinking, adaptable professional who welcomes professional development and contributes actively to the life of the school.

What We Offer

• Inspiring Pupils: Fantastic, well‑behaved children who are motivated, kind, and keen to learn.
• A Supportive Community: A collaborative staff team, dedicated governors, and supportive parents.
• Professional Growth: A personalised continuous professional learning programme tailored to your career goals.
• Well‑being Focus: A strong, tangible commitment to staff well‑being and workload management.
• Meaningful Impact: The opportunity to transform lives and make a tangible difference every day.

Visits & Applications

Informal visits to Crossgates Primary School are warmly welcomed and strongly encouraged so you can see our values in action.

Closing Date: 2nd November 2026 at 11.59 pm

Interviews: 11th November 2026

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointment to this post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring and background check

The ability to converse at ease with customers and service users and provide advice in accurate spoken English is an essential requirement of this post.

Applicants are advised that by applying for this position they are declaring that they are not subject to any immigration controls or restrictions that prohibit them undertaking work in the UK, and that they are able to provide proof of their Right to Work in the UK if they are invited to attend an interview.

The school will carry out an online search as part of their due‑diligence for all shortlisted candidates in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026.

Applicants are informed that if appointed to this post their contract of employment will be with the school governing board who is the employer, and not Rochdale Council.