Education Welfare Officer

Staffordshire County Council; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffordshire County Council is seeking an Education Welfare Officer to support children, families and schools with safeguarding and attendance duties. You will work across Central and District locations, contributing to statutory actions when needed and helping ensure children access positive education.

The role involves assessing for and proceeding with statutory actions after other supports are exhausted, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding and partnershipworking with schools, families and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in education, welfare work, or direct support with children and families.
• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in working with children or related field.

Responsibilities

• Support statutory action to improve irregular attendance, including issuing penalty notices, facilitating consultation meetings, and preparing cases for court under the Education Act 1996 and Children Act 1989.
• Contribute to statutory duties around Elective Home Education, Children Missing Education, School Attendance Orders and Section 19.
• Hold targeted support meetings to help schools boost attendance and tackle persistent absence.
• Present at termly district meetings to share best practice with schools across Staffordshire.
• Play an active role in safeguarding and contribute to child protection and child in need plans with Early Help partners.
• Manage duties relating to child entertainment and employment licences.
• Maintain accurate records and produce high-quality assessments and reports.
• Grow expertise in specialist areas of practice.

Skills

Experience in education welfare work

Education

NVQ Level 3 in working with children

Job description

Job Introduction

As an Education Welfare Officer, you'll be on the frontline of supporting children, families, and schools.

You'll work in partnership with schools, families, the community and the Local Authority assessing for and proceeding with statutory action when all other routes of support have been exhausted. With a strong safeguarding focus, you'll identify barriers to attendance, offer practical solutions, and help fulfil statutory duties that keep children safe and engaged in learning.

Every child deserves the chance to thrive in school. Our Attendance & Inclusion Team champions this mission, ensuring children across Staffordshire can access a positive, consistent education.

We have 4 opportunities across Central and District locations available:

• 4 x 37 hours permanent contract

Please indicate your preference of District on your application form.

These roles are not term time only.

In all roles you will directly influence the wellbeing, safety, and educational outcomes of children and young people.

Main Responsibility

You will:

• Support statutory action to improve irregular attendance, including issuing penalty notices, facilitating consultation meetings, and preparing cases for court under the Education Act 1996 and Children Act 1989.
• Contribute to key statutory duties around Elective Home Education, Children Missing Education, School Attendance Orders and Section 19.
• Hold targeted support meetings to help schools boost attendance and tackle persistent absence.
• Present at termly district meetings to share best practice with schools across Staffordshire.
• Play an active role in safeguarding -contributing to child protection and child in need plans, and working closely with Early Help partners.
• Manage duties relating to child entertainment and employment licences.
• Maintain accurate records and produce high-quality assessments and reports.
• Grow your expertise in specialist areas of practice.

The Ideal Candidate

The minimum criteria that will be used to shortlist for this role will be:

• Significant experience in education, welfare work, or direct support with children and families.
• A minimum NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in working