Home School Liaison Assistant

Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust; Slough; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS or TPS pension

Salary sacrifice schemes

Employee wellbeing program

Employee discounts

Season ticket loan

Employee referral scheme

Job summary

Arbour Vale School, part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust, is seeking a Home School Liaison Assistant to bridge home and school, supporting pupils' educational and emotional development and fostering positive relationships.

You will work with families, lead Early Help with the home school liaison manager and DSL, promote engagement with external agencies, and coordinate safeguarding and attendance support across sites.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, grade 4/C or above.
• Evidence of relevant safeguarding and child protection training.
• Willingness to undertake further professional development relevant to the role.
• Experience of supporting safeguarding, attendance, early help, or pastoral interventions.

Responsibilities

• To take a lead role in Early Help in conjunction with the home school liaison manager and DSL to identify vulnerable students who might benefit from Early Help support and attend meetings
• To actively promote positive relationships between school and home setting in support of our pupils and their families, enhancing parent/carer engagement with the school and other external agencies
• Promote and develop stakeholder engagement, including networking with external agencies and the voluntary sector in supporting/meeting needs of our more vulnerable children
• Enhance communication between school and home, recognising the multi-cultural community and diversity of needs that the school serves

Skills

Communication

Enthusiastic

Interpersonal skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

GCSEs English and Maths (4/C or above)

Job description

Working Pattern: Full-time: 37 hours per week, Monday to Thursday 8.30am-16.30pm and Friday 8.30am to 16.00pm, 5 days per week, Term time plus 2 weeks.

Arbour Vale School is a large and inclusive special school in Slough, supporting pupils aged 2 to 19 with a wide range of educational needs. It is one of the largest special schools in the country, meeting the needs of children and young people with moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning needs, and autism.

The school is purpose built with specialist facilities including a dedicated nursery and post-16 base, soft-play area, hydrotherapy pool, multi-sensory room, a newly refurbished library, well-equipped IT suite, dedicated music room and large sports hall. Arbour Vale School is a vibrant and welcoming community and offers many opportunities for professionals who want a rewarding career enabling young people to achieve their full potential irrespective of their personal learning needs.

Arbour Vale School is a vibrant and welcoming community and offers many opportunities for professionals who want a rewarding career enabling young people to achieve their full potential irrespective of their personal learning needs.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and communicative Home School Liaison Assistant to act as a bridge between home and school. You will work closely with families, helping to support students' educational and emotional development by ensuring clear communication and fostering positive relationships between school and home.

Key Responsibilities:

• To take a lead role in Early Help in conjunction with the home school liaison manager and DSL to identify vulnerable students who might benefit from Early Help support and attend meetings
• To actively promote positive relationships between school and home setting in support of our pupils and their families, enhancing parent/carer engagement with the school and other external agencies
• Promote and develop stakeholder engagement, including networking with external agencies and the voluntary sector in supporting/meeting needs of our more vulnerable children
• Enhance communication between school and home, recognising the multi-cultural community and diversity of needs that the school serves

Key Requirements:

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, grade 4/C or above.
• Evidence of relevant safeguarding and child protection training.
• Willingness to undertake further professional development relevant to the role.
• Experience of supporting safeguarding, attendance, early help, or pastoral interventions.

OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Home Electronics Scheme and Employee Car Lease Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Find out what makes OHCAT a truly rewarding place to work - visit our 'Work for Us' page to hear from our Chief Executive Officer, John Prior, and watch inspiring messages from students and parents about the difference our staff make every day.

Arbour Vale School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.

It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the School directly. Visits to the School in advance of applications are encouraged.

The successful candidate must be able to drive and have access to a vehicle to travel between both sites and attend home visits.

Closing Date: Friday 18th September 2026

Interviews will take place w/c 5th October 2026

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.