Welfare Officer

Teaching Vacancies; Greater London; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Gardens Primary School is looking for a dedicated Welfare Officer to support pupil wellbeing, safeguard vulnerable children and work closely with families. The role involves liaising with external professionals, coordinating attendance interventions and maintaining confidential records in line with statutory guidance.

You will engage in safeguarding training, contribute to CPD and collaborate with staff across our federation to ensure consistent support for pupils returning from absence

Qualifications

• Demonstrate experience and skills to perform the role.
• KCSIE training and ongoing updating as needed.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and child protection guidance.
• Ability to use school information systems (SIMS/SAM) to generate reports.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils' wellbeing and safeguarding throughout the school day.
• Liaise with families, carers and external professionals to address attendance and welfare concerns.
• Lead and contribute to multi-agency meetings including Child Protection conferences and core groups.
• Maintain accurate, confidential pupil records and prepare reports for safeguarding inspections.

Skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Child protection thresholds

Interagency liaison

Data protection

Tools

SIMS

SAM

Job description

Qualifications

Whilst no formal qualifications are not strictly necessary, the candidate needs to be able to demonstrate the experience and skills required to perform the role.

In addition, under Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), the DSL must be appropriately trained. It is therefore expected that the candidate would undertake all relevant training as soon as possible after appointment and engage in a process of updating this as is necessary.

Skills and Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, enabling effective fulfilment of the Designated Safeguarding Lead role.
• Strong understanding of child protection thresholds, referral pathways and escalation processes, including early help, social care and multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.
• Ability to manage safeguarding concerns and disclosures using professional judgement to secure timely referrals, effective intervention and positive outcomes for children.
• Knowledge of safeguarding record-keeping requirements, including maintaining accurate, confidential and inspection-ready records and reports.
• Knowledge of attendance legislation, Children Missing in Education procedures and safeguarding links to attendance and punctuality.
• Full working knowledge of relevant polices/codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation??
• Ability to analyse attendance data using school systems to identify patterns of concern and contribute to targeted intervention strategies.
• Knowledge of admissions processes and statutory requirements, including liaison with local authorities and accurate management of pupil records.
• Competence in using school information systems (including SIMS and SAM) to maintain accurate data, generate reports and support compliance.
• Skills in leading and contributing to multi-agency meetings, including Child Protection conferences, core groups and Team Around the Family meetings.
• Ability to complete referrals and professional documentation (including MARFs) clearly, accurately and in line with statutory guidance.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with pupils, parents, carers, staff and external professionals.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with families while providing appropriate challenge to address attendance, behaviour and safeguarding concerns.
• Knowledge of family support approaches that reduce barriers to learning, promote engagement and support pupil wellbeing.
• Ability to support reintegration, transition and continuity of support for vulnerable pupils following absence, exclusion or placement change.
• Knowledge of data protection legislation, information sharing principles and GDPR requirements within a safeguarding context.
• Ability to lead and coordinate Subject Access Requests and manage sensitive information lawfully and securely.
• Strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities, respond to emerging risk and meet statutory deadlines.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion and professional standards, including ongoing training and reflective practice.

What the school offers its staff

At Oxford Gardens Primary School, we offer a warm and welcoming environment where staff are valued and work together to make a difference to children and families. As our Welfare Officer, you will join a caring school community and play an important role in supporting pupils' wellbeing, strengthening relationships with families and helping children access school confidently and consistently.

We are committed to investing in our staff through high-quality continuing professional development (CPD), helping you develop your expertise and grow in your role. You will also have opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across our federation and draw on the experience of professionals working in attendance and welfare. This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute your skills, build meaningful relationships and make a lasting difference to children's school experience.

Commitment to safeguarding

Oxford Gardens Primary School is committed to safeguarding. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.