Impact-Driven Attendance & Family Engagement Lead

Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School is seeking a proactive Attendance Lead to oversee strategic and operational attendance across its 3–16 through-school. The role focuses on improving secondary phase attendance, implementing robust systems, and driving multi‑agency collaboration with safeguarding teams and families.

You will analyse attendance data, develop improvement plans, and lead staff in best practices to maintain excellent pupil engagement and punctuality.

Qualifications

• Strategic and operational leadership for attendance and punctuality across the through-school (primary and secondary).
• Ability to develop, implement and evaluate attendance policies and systems.
• Data-driven approach to identify trends and priorities for intervention.
• Experience collaborating with safeguarding teams and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the attendance improvement strategy across primary and secondary phases.
• Develop, implement and evaluate attendance systems, policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with statutory attendance guidance and local authority processes.
• Analyse attendance data to identify trends, vulnerable groups and priorities for intervention.
• Produce regular attendance reports and insights for senior leaders and governors.
• Develop attendance improvement plans with targets and milestones.
• Lead whole-school initiatives to promote attendance and punctuality.
• Oversee day-to-day attendance processes and robust recording and follow-up.
• Coordinate attendance panels, reviews and targeted interventions.
• Ensure casework is prioritized and resources are deployed effectively.
• Work directly with pupils and families experiencing attendance difficulties.
• Conduct home visits and welfare checks where appropriate.
• Develop attendance action plans with families and monitor progress.
• Lead meetings with parents/carers where attendance falls below expected levels.
• Support reintegration following prolonged absence.
• Act as lead professional for attendance-related multi-agency work.
• Liaise with Local Authority Attendance Services, Children’s Social Care, Early Help, SEND, Health Professionals and Youth Services.
• Develop staff understanding of attendance legislation, processes and best practice.
• Coach staff in working with families and lead effective attendance conversations.
• Develop a consistent whole-school approach to attendance interventions.
• Lead attendance enforcement processes where appropriate.
• Prepare documentation for penalty notices and legal proceedings.
• Maintain accurate records in line with statutory requirements.
• Ensure safeguarding, attendance and data protection compliance.
• Contribute to safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Promote the school's Christian ethos alongside attendance initiatives.

Job description

Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School is seeking a proactive Attendance Lead to oversee strategic and operational attendance across its 3–16 through-school. The role focuses on improving secondary phase attendance, implementing robust systems, and driving multi‑agency collaboration with safeguarding teams and families.

You will analyse attendance data, develop improvement plans, and lead staff in best practices to maintain excellent pupil engagement and punctuality.