Student Welfare Officer Job Description

Sweet Science Academy

Student Welfare Officer Job Description

Job Title:

Student Welfare & Attendance Officer

Academy:

Sweet Science Academy

Responsible to:

Academy Leadership Team

Hours:

Part time morning term time only

Salary:

£15 per hour

DBS Check:

Enhanced

Purpose of the Role

The primary purpose of the Student Welfare Officer is to promote a culture that values regular school attendance and supports the overall well-being of our students, contributing to the academy's goal of raising student achievement and ensuring all students can reach their full potential. The post holder will provide a specialist service to monitor, analyse, and intervene in cases of absence/punctuality, while also offering early intervention welfare support to students and families to overcome barriers to attendance and learning.

Key Responsibilities

Promoting and Encouraging Attendance & Welfare

• Promote Positive Attitudes: Encourage positive attitudes by students and families towards education and well-being, ensuring parents are aware of their statutory responsibilities for their child's education.
• Implement Strategies: Advise the academy on, and assist with the implementation of, strategies to promote regular and punctual attendance for all students, including reward systems.
• Parental Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with parents/carers to understand the reasons behind poor attendance or welfare concerns and work collaboratively to put support strategies in place.
• Support and Guidance: Lead and provide support and guidance to families and children experiencing difficulties in sustaining regular school attendance or dealing with welfare issues, identifying problems and possible solutions.

Dealing with Absent Students & Welfare Concerns

Key responsibilities include daily monitoring of attendance, identifying absences or lateness promptly. The Officer will make first day contact to ascertain reasons for absence, logging concerns on the school's safeguarding system where necessary. The role involves conducting home visits to assess factors affecting attendance, support students' return to school, and address welfare concerns. Identifying students at risk of persistent absence or those requiring welfare intervention is crucial. This includes making referrals to, and working collaboratively with, external agencies, such as Parent Guardian Early Help teams, the Local Authority (Education Welfare Service), and LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) where safeguarding concerns arise.

Administration and Reporting

Responsibilities include maintaining accurate attendance and welfare records on the school's information management system. The role involves analysing attendance data to identify trends and report to the leadership team and governors. Administrative tasks include sending letters, filing notes, and writing reports.

Person Specification (Essential Criteria)

Essential criteria include experience working with children and families, preferably in education, health, or social care settings, and knowledge of relevant legislation regarding attendance, child protection, and safeguarding. This includes a strong understanding of local authority processes and the role of external agencies such as Early Help and LADO. Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills with a non-judgmental approach are required. The ability to use IT systems for data management and reporting is essential. The role requires a commitment to safeguarding and willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check. The ideal candidate can work independently, manage a varied workload with flexibility for home visits, and demonstrates emotional resilience.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Work Location: In person