School Family Liaison Officer

TKAT (The Kemnal Academies Trust); Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24/7 confidential counselling

Mindfulness programme

Generous pension

Job summary

Hylands School seeks a dedicated Family Liaison Officer to champion vulnerable learners, building strong bridges with families and removing barriers to learning. You will engage with parents regularly, support attendance, and work with external services to connect families with essential support.

Under the Deputy Headteacher and senior leaders, you will uphold safeguarding, track pupil wellbeing, and foster a culture of belonging aligned with Hylands Habits.

Qualifications

• Advocate for vulnerable learners (Pupil Premium, SEND) and support learning access.
• Build trusted partnerships with parents and carers through regular check-ins.
• Drive attendance and engagement with targeted interventions.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily family engagement and remove practical barriers to learning.
• Collaborate with external agencies (social care, early help, mental health) to connect families with support.
• Maintain safeguarding records and report welfare concerns per policy.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Child welfare awareness

Communication

Job description

We are looking for a dedicated Family Liaison Officer who brings compassion, purpose, and energy to our team at Hylands School, someone ready to act as a champion for our pupils and build strong, trusting bridges with their families every single day.

At Hylands School, as part of the TKAT ACE programme (A Champion for Every Child), we view strong relationships between home and school as the foundation of our students' ability to learn, attend regularly, and thrive. As our Family Liaison Officer, you are granted the trust to lead daily family engagement, the resources to help solve practical barriers to learning, and the mandate to play a pivotal role in our school community.

Working under the Deputy Headteacher, senior leaders, and external support services, you will work to ensure every child feels supported and valued. Whether you bring experience in educational settings, social care, or community support or possess strong interpersonal skills and an ability to navigate complex family dynamics, your talent will be valued here.

In our community, support staff are vital partners in driving standards, embedding our Hylands Habits: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Resilient and fostering a true sense of belonging.

Together, let’s ensure high expectations are met with high support, creating an environment where every child gets their chance to shine.

The ideal Family Liaison Officer will be someone who:

• Acts as a dedicated advocate and mentor for vulnerable learners, including Pupil Premium and SEND students, helping to break down individual barriers to learning and school attendance.
• Builds strong, trusting partnerships with parents and carers through regular, non-judgmental check-ins, phone calls, and home visits.
• Drives attendance and engagement by implementing rapid-response interventions for absenteeism and ensuring pupils arrive daily equipped and prepared to learn.
• Collaborates with external agencies, working seamlessly alongside social care, early help, and mental health services to connect families with vital support.
• Tracks academic progress and well-being, reviewing assessment data and liaising with teachers to ensure students catch up on missed learning and meet their targets.
• Upholds robust safeguarding standards, maintaining detailed pupil tracking records and promptly logging welfare concerns in line with school policies.
• Demonstrates high emotional intelligence and resilience, managing complex family dynamics with deep compassion while maintaining strict professional boundaries.
• Communicates effectively and adaptively across the school community, embodying our Hylands Habits—Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Resilient.

Great Support Starts with a Great Community: Your Benefits

We believe that in education, people matter most. Investing in your wellbeing and professional growth isn't just a perk, it’s our priority. As part of Kemnal Academies Trust, you will receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both your career and your lifestyle:

• Exceptional development:Access high-quality development and training opportunities tailored to your role.
• Career Pathways:Receive encouragement and support to grow your skills, with clear routes
• 24/7 Confidential Counselling:Free, round-the-clock support for you and your eligible immediate family members.
• Mindfulness Support:Enjoy a free, full subscription to the Headspace app, plus access to an expert-led 8-week mindfulness programme.

Family & Work-Life Balance

• Family-Friendly Policies:Dedicated leave policies and flexible working options to support you through every stage of life.
• Supportive Environment:Work within a forward-thinking culture that actively champions your work-life balance.

Financial Wellbeing & Savings

• Blue Light Card Access:Eligible to apply for the UK’s premier discount scheme, unlocking savings across shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment.
• Cycle to Work Scheme:Spread the cost of a new bike and equipment for a healthier, more affordable commute.
• Generous Pension:Secure your long-term future with substantial employer pension contributions.

About Hylands School

Hylands School has a long-standing history of serving the community of Writtle and the wider Chelmsford area, benefiting from excellent transport links via the A12 and A414. As a smaller school, we offer a close-knit community where every student feels known. Our vision is to empower every student to achieve academic excellence and personal growth, guided by our core Hylands Habits: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Resilient.

To discover what makes Hylands School special, visit our website, watch our Welcome video, or arrange an informal visit with our Director of Operations ([e-mail]) or Headteacher's PA, Sonja Mitchell ([e-mail]).

PLEASE NOTE - WE DO NOT ACCEPT/CONSIDER UNSOLICITED CV’S

About Kemnal Academies Trust

Kemnal Academies Trust is a group of schools with ambition for every child and pride in the communities we serve. We provide a broad and rich education that opens doors. Working together, we give every pupil the support and the skills they need to build a life of purpose, agency, and contribution.

Our ultimate aim is to ensure we drive educational standards through the provision of outstanding teaching, leadership, and learning for all. Our leaders focus on pupil progress and attainment, regularly sharing knowledge, insight, and experience across our family of schools. We believe passionately in the power of collaborative working and actively promote school-to-school support because when we work together, every child benefits.

A Culture of Belonging: Equity, Inclusion & Diversity

Belonging is of utmost importance to us. We strive to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed and respected, where expectations are high, and genuine support is provided. Here, colleagues are trusted to lead, contribute, and grow in alignment with our mission. At Kemnal Academies Trust, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we know diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.

Flexible Working -Kemnal Academies Trust

We actively promote flexible working practices and opportunities to support a positive work-life balance.

Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment

Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment -Kemnal Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all colleagues to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to statutory safer recruitment checks prior to appointment. These include, but are not limited to, an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check, online searches (in line with KCSIE guidelines), identity and right-to-work verification, reference checks, relevant qualification/prohibition checks, and overseas checks where applicable. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended), certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed.