Jobs in Nelson england

2 - 3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

We are seeking a proactive, compassionate, and resilient Attendance Support Officer to help improve the attendance, attainment, engagement, and wellbeing of children and young people. You will work directly with pupils, parents/carers, schools, and partner agencies to identify and address barriers to regular education attendance, including complex family and safeguarding concerns. The role will involve carrying out home visits, supporting Attendance Improvement Plans, providing advice to schools, and contributing to effective attendance interventions. You will also analyse attendance information, identify emerging concerns, and work collaboratively with education, social care, and other professionals to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with schools, pupils, parents/carers, and education professionals to identify and address barriers to school attendance.
  
• Undertake home visits to establish reasons for absence, assess needs, and support pupils to return to and maintain regular attendance.
  
• Provide advice and guidance to pupils and families regarding attendance expectations and the implications of relevant attendance legislation.
  
• Act as a mentor and positive support to pupils, helping them address anxieties, concerns, and difficulties affecting their engagement with education.
  
• Build constructive and professional relationships with parents/carers, encouraging their involvement in improving their child's attendance.
  
• Facilitate Attendance Improvement Plans (AIPs), monitor progress, and maintain accurate records of interventions and outcomes.
  
• Analyse attendance data to identify pupils requiring additional support and help schools develop effective attendance strategies.
  
• Complete attendance audits within schools, reviewing attendance processes and procedures and providing feedback and recommendations for improvement.
  
• Work collaboratively with Education Social Workers and other professionals to determine appropriate interventions for persistent or complex non-attendance.
  
• Liaise with internal departments, external agencies, and partner organisations and participate in relevant multi-agency meetings to support positive outcomes for pupils.
  
• Identify and appropriately escalate safeguarding concerns, following relevant safeguarding procedures and ensuring concerns are referred to the appropriate professionals.
  
• Maintain accurate and detailed case records, correspondence, attendance information, intervention data, and reports in line with relevant requirements.
  
• Provide timely attendance data and information to the Education Support Manager and relevant school staff to support monitoring, evaluation, and service improvement.
  
• Research and share effective approaches, models, and good practice for improving school attendance and engagement.
  
• Contribute to staff meetings, training, service initiatives, and projects designed to improve attendance and educational outcomes.
  

Requirements

• At least 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications.
  
• Level 4 qualification in a relevant discipline such as Youth and Community Work, Health and Social Care, or a related field, or significant equivalent specialist experience within schools, attendance services, or a relevant setting.
  
• Experience of working with children, young people, families, or vulnerable groups, particularly those who may be hard to engage.
  
• Experience working within an education, schools, social care, youth, community, or related environment.
  
• Knowledge and understanding of factors that can affect school attendance, engagement, and educational outcomes.
  
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance relating to education, children, safeguarding, and social care, including the Education Act 1996, Children Act 1989 and 2004, and Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
  
• Experience of working with attendance systems, databases, or similar information management systems is desirable.
  
• Experience of supporting vulnerable young people to improve attendance, engagement, and participation in education.
  
• Experience of working collaboratively with schools and other professional or partner agencies.
  
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and the ability to recognise
  

Additional Information

• Location: Wrexham - School-based / Learning Centre Whitegate, with travel across the County Borough as required.
  
• Hours per week: Full-time hours, as determined by the service.
  
• Bi-Weekly Payments: Paid every two weeks.