Educational Welfare Officer/Attendance Manager

Outwood Academy Bydales; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Outwood Academy Bydales in Sunderland is seeking an Education Welfare Officer/Attendance Manager to lead our attendance team and implement strategies to improve student access to learning.

This senior role requires expertise in legislation, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to engage families in difficult circumstances. You will manage home visits, coordinate with safeguarding partners, and produce regular data reports for senior leaders to drive decisions.

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a Level 3 qualification or equivalent.
• Experience in education welfare, social work, or counselling with parents and children.
• Strong record keeping and report writing skills.
• Knowledge of the legislative framework governing school attendance.
• Resilience and ability to work in challenging, conflict-ridden situations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the attendance team and drive whole-school attendance strategies.
• Conduct home visits and coordinate with safeguarding agencies.
• Identify cases for court referrals or Penalty Notices and prepare evidence.
• Prepare and analyse regular attendance data reports for senior leadership.
• Chair attendance panels and fast-track meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Data reporting

Education

Level 3 qualification or equivalent

Tools

Case management system

Safeguarding procedures

Job description

Are you a proactive leader ready to strategically influence student outcomes through maximizing attendance? Join us as an Education Welfare Officer/Attendance Manager, where you will lead the attendance team and drive whole-school strategies to significantly improve student attendance and educational access. This senior position requires legislative expertise, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the capacity to engage families constructively, often in complex situations, to prioritize student access to learning.

You will lead the attendance team and apply the academy's attendance and punctuality policy. This involves identifying children in need of support due to absence, assessing need, planning, and implementing effective interventions.

Core duties include conducting home visits and coordinating joint working with safeguarding agencies. You will manage the legal framework by identifying cases for referral for court proceedings or Penalty Notices, preparing comprehensive evidence, and acting as a witness if required. You are also responsible for preparing and analysing regular data reports for senior leadership and leading regular attendance panels/fast-track meetings.

Candidates must hold a relevant Level 3 qualification or an equivalent related professional qualification. Essential experience includes using an education welfare, social work, or counselling approach to work with parents and children, alongside a strong background in record keeping and report writing.

Crucially, the post holder must possess knowledge of the legislative framework that governs school attendances and the ability to undertake assessments and write reports to a high standard. Resilience and the ability to work effectively in difficult, conflict-ridden situations are also essential.