Attendance and Welfare Officer

We are looking for a highly motivated and committed Attendance and Welfare Officer who understands the importance of high attendance as well as the challenges some students face in achieving this goal. 

The successful candidate will have the ability to develop positive and supportive relationships with students and parents/carers from a diverse range of backgrounds. The role will suit someone who has experience in promoting and enforcing regular attendance, as well as having a genuine desire to improve the outcomes of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This role is based at Harris Westminster Sixth Form. The role includes supporting the attendance at Harris Clapham Sixth Form and will likely require 1 day per week to be spent at Harris Clapham Sixth Form.

About Us

Harris Westminster combines the energy of brilliant young people from across London’s diverse neighbourhoods, the strength of Westminster School in teaching academically able students, and the Harris Federation’s experience and expertise in running outstanding maintained sector schools. This sixth form is a unique collaboration between two champions of UK Education; the Harris Federation and Westminster School. It is over-subscribed, academically selective and has incredible diversity in its student cohort with no ethnic group exceeding 20% and 40% of students having received Pupil Premium. 70% of HWSF students go on to study at Russell Group universities and we have one of the largest Oxbridge cohorts of any school (state or private). 34 students from the 2021 cohort gained places and 80+ have interviews in to join them in 2022. We are looking for an outstanding individual to join and support this exciting, scholarly, and vibrant community.

Academy Ethos

Ambition. Perseverance. Legacy. Kindness. Scholarship.

Harris Westminster students expect great things of themselves; they aim high and meet their targets, gaining places on the most competitive university course and apprenticeships, and from those courses into elite careers. They work hard to reach their ambitions and learn that setbacks are reasons to review strategy and try again rather than give up. They aim to make their mark on the world for the long term and learn that they can have a positive and lasting impact. Students from different backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles work together and listen to each other to understand more deeply how these differences affect our experiences, to overcome prejudices and create a more equal society. During their time at the school they develop a love of learning and acquire the habits of enquiry, knowledge acquisition, and scholarship.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the attendance and welfare of all students at Harris Westminster Sixth Form
• Supporting Harris Clapham Sixth Form in ensuring their attendance policies and procedures are suitable and being followed.
• Assisting SLT in the Management and Development of attendance and punctuality policies
• Daily monitoring and follow-up of attendance and punctuality
• Organising and overseeing sanctions for poor punctuality, including to school assemblies
• Phoning parents/carers of students absent at agreed time and record reasons for absence on the MIS
• Ensuring that attendance codes are accurately entered and maintained on the MIS
• Daily monitoring and early calls on the attendance of children in care or students on the vulnerable list as a priority, reporting to the Assistant Principal daily

For further details, please download the job pack.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualifications to degree standard or equivalent, or considerable relevant experience
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft software
• Knowledge of school MIS system for input and export of student attendance data
• Training on school MIS system in relation to attendance and report generation
• Knowledge of attendance policies and procedures
• Knowledge of the range of agencies that work with students and their families
• Knowledge of a range of attendance codes and when they can be used
• Knowledge of many of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Please see job pack for further details.

Rewards & Benefits

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.