Family Welfare Liaison & Attendance Officer

The Sutton School; Dudley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Sutton School in Dudley is seeking an experienced Family Welfare Liaison & Attendance Officer to lead family-help, strengthen family engagement and improve attendance so pupils can thrive.

You will build trusted relationships, monitor attendance, chair multi-agency meetings and support wellbeing across the school. The role includes safeguarding responsibilities and driving open days.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and families, including vulnerable pupils and SEND needs.
• Strong knowledge of attendance, safeguarding and school systems.
• Excellent communicator, calm under pressure and skilled at de-escalation and mediation.
• Ability to manage confidential records accurately and to lead small teams/admin support.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils and families to remove barriers to learning.
• Lead attendance monitoring, home-visiting and timely interventions to reduce persistent absence.
• Coordinate Family Support Delivery Plans, prepare reports and chair multi‑agency meetings.
• Support pupils through nurture work and small‑group interventions.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and work closely with the DSL and external partners.
• Contribute to whole‑school wellbeing, produce parent communications and support open days.

Skills

Attendance safeguarding knowledge

Communication skills

DBS checks

Family engagement

Job description

Family Welfare Liaison & Attendance Officer

Sutton School — Grade 6 | Full time £25,729 - £28,417 + SEN Allowance

Safe. Happy. Learning. — Towards Independence.

Join Sutton School and make a real difference to the lives of pupils and families. We are a specialist SEND school where every pupil is known, valued and supported to move towards independence. We’re looking for an experienced, compassionate Family Welfare Liaison & Attendance Officer to lead family-help, strengthen family engagement and improve attendance so our pupils can thrive.

What you’ll do

• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils and families to remove barriers to learning.
• Lead attendance monitoring, home-visiting and timely interventions to reduce persistent absence.
• Coordinate Family Support Delivery Plans, prepare reports and chair multi‑agency meetings.
• Support pupils through nurture work and small‑group interventions.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and work closely with the DSL and external partners.
• Contribute to whole‑school wellbeing, produce parent communications and support open days.

What we’re looking for

• Experience working with children and families, including vulnerable pupils and SEND needs.
• Strong knowledge of attendance, safeguarding and school systems.
• Excellent communicator, calm under pressure and skilled at de‑escalation and mediation.
• Ability to manage confidential records accurately and to lead small teams/admin support.
• Enhanced DBS (successful appointment subject to checks) and willingness to drive the school minibus when required.

Why Sutton School

• You’ll work in a warm, respectful culture where staff and pupils speak with kindness.
• Be part of a highly ambitious team preparing pupils for meaningful next steps — academic, vocational and social.
• Clear purpose and visible impact: your work directly improves pupil well‑being, attendance and life chances.
• Ongoing CPD and colleagues who know pupils and families exceptionally well

Closing Date - 1st November 2026 - 12pm

Shortlisting Date - 2nd November 2026

Interview Date - TBC

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children; therefore, the post is subject to medical clearance and an enhanced DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

Effective from September 2022, KCSIE states as part of the shortlisting process schools and colleges should consider carrying out on‑line searches, as part of the due diligence on shortlisted candidates. This is to determine suitability to work with children and keep them safe. All shortlisted candidates are now subject to an on‑line check and if there is anything concerning, then the shortlisted candidate will be asked to comment on it either prior to or at interview.

N.B., We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised dateshould we receive a large number of applications.