Lead Attendance & Welfare Officer – Secondary School in Oxford (ASAP Start)

A scholarly secondary school in Oxford is seeking an articulate, assertive Lead Attendance & Welfare Officer to lead student attendance management and family engagement for an immediate (ASAP) start. Job Overview Maintaining high attendance standards is central to the school's pastoral and academic mission. The successful candidate will lead daily attendance tracking, analyze persistent absence trends, manage statutory local authority filings, and conduct targeted interventions with families. Working closely with Pastoral Heads of Year, Safeguarding Leads, and educational welfare officers, you will coordinate return-to-school plans and ensure full compliance with Department for Education statutory regulations. This is a full-time, ongoing or permanent role. Key Responsibilities Oversee daily morning registration tracking and first-day absence telephone communications Analyze weekly attendance data on SIMS/Arbor to identify students falling below target thresholds Lead attendance intervention panels, home visits, and formal attendance contracts with parents/carers Prepare legal documentation, penalty notice requests, and statutory attendance returns for the Local Authority Collaborate with Safeguarding Officers (DSL) regarding vulnerable pupils and persistent absenteeism Design and implement whole-school attendance reward initiatives and positive engagement strategies The School & What’s on Offer Immediate Start: Full-time, long-term or permanent contract starting ASAP Role Type: Full-time hours (Term-Time Only plus specified holiday days or 52-week option) Facilities: Dedicated pastoral intervention suite equipped with modern communication software Location: Prime Oxford location with direct public transport links and staff parking Candidate Requirements Proven experience in a school attendance, educational welfare, or pastoral coordination role Proficiency in school MIS platforms (SIMS, Arbor, Bromcom) and attendance report generation In-depth understanding of statutory DfE attendance guidelines, safeguarding standards, and legal processes Outstanding interpersonal, de-escalation, and phone communication skills An active enhanced DBS check on the Update Service (or willingness to apply) How to Apply Please send your CV at your earliest convenience to be considered for this Attendance Officer position in Oxford for an immediate start.