Education Welfare Officer: Safeguard & Boost Attendance

Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership; Stafford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffordshire County Council is seeking an Education Welfare Officer to support children, families and schools across Staffordshire. You will assess for statutory action when needed, address attendance barriers and work with Early Help partners to keep children safe and engaged in learning.

You will join the Attendance & Inclusion Team, influencing wellbeing, safety, and educational outcomes with a collaborative approach and strong safeguarding focus.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in education, welfare work, or direct support with children and families.
• A minimum NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in working with children and families.
• Confident understanding of education legislation, safeguarding and multi-agency collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Support statutory action to improve irregular attendance, including 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.

Skills

Empathy

Organisation skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Multi-agency collaboration

Safeguarding

Education

NVQ Level 3 in working with children and families

Job description

Staffordshire County Council is seeking an Education Welfare Officer to support children, families and schools across Staffordshire. You will assess for statutory action when needed, address attendance barriers and work with Early Help partners to keep children safe and engaged in learning.

You will join the Attendance & Inclusion Team, influencing wellbeing, safety, and educational outcomes with a collaborative approach and strong safeguarding focus.