Education Welfare Officer

Do you have experience working with at-risk students and or overseeing educational welfare? Support our students as Educational Welfare Officer. We are looking for a dedicated and experienced individual to join The Courtyard, overseeing welfare-related duties across our student body.

About Us

The Courtyard is a Specialist provision, educating students aged 13-19 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). We have high expectations and aspirations for your children. All our staff aim to give every child an exceptional education providing support, care, enrichment and challenge as they come through our doors. We give them opportunities to enjoy their learning, prepare for future independent success as well as happy lives. We have a clear vision, high expectations, strong moral values, a love of individual and a value in knowledge. They respect and value each other.

Main Areas of Responsibility

In your role, you will:

·       Oversee Educational Welfare

·       Manage a caseload of ‘at risk' students, where attendance falls below 85% and implement strategies to improve attendance. As Educational Welfare Officer you will ensure that prompt, consistent and rigorous intervention with poor attendance is robust.

·       Have responsibility for monitoring the attendance of most vulnerable students at the school, including Looked after students, those on the child protection register, children identified as being in need either by Courtyard staff or external agencies.

·       Representing the school at external meetings e.g. Social Services Case Conferences, Child in Need Meetings, LAC Reviews.

·       Liaise with the Courtyard Leadership Team to address any attendance or welfare concerns.

·       Communicate effectively with all external agencies including CAMHs, Social Services, Police etc.

·       Ensure effective communication/consultation as appropriate with the parents of students through phone, letter and home visits as relevant, ensuring student contracts are agreed and monitored.

·       Liaise with the local authority when cases of poor attendance reach the level of legal intervention. Manage the process of evidence sharing and represent the relevant academy at court were necessary.

Other Duties

·       Maintaining the confidential records of support for all students referred.

·       The preparation of reports and maintaining records relating to student referrals and subsequent counselling or support from academy staff or other agencies.

·       To be responsible for own professional development, identifying training needs and requesting courses as appropriate.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Training

·       Degree, or equivalent

·       Knowledge of the Courtyard Positive Behaviour for Learning policy

·       Knowledge of the range of barriers to learning that students with ASC face

·       Training in child protection and safeguarding procedures

·       Basic knowledge of first aid; e.g. emergency first aid course

Experience

·       3 years' experience of working in an inner city school or educational establishment with young people with ASC.

·       Experience of dealing successfully with a range of issues influencing poor attendance

·       Experience of working with staff to ensure excellent standards of attendance and punctuality are maintained

·       Experience of working with families

·       Experience of working with challenging students and parents, and finding ways in which we can meet their needs more successfully

Personal Skills & Qualities

·       Full working knowledge of relevant policies/codes of practice

·       Understanding of Autism Spectrum Condition and associated diagnoses

·       Understanding of principles of student development and learning processes

·       Ability to plan effective actions for pupils at risk of underachieving

·       Effective use of ICT

·       Understanding of a range of welfare issues that may be affecting students and their families.

·       Well-developed interpersonal skills to be able to relate well to a wide range of people

·       Work constructively as part of a team whilst being able to demonstrate initiative.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

Safeguarding Notice

The Courtyard is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

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

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Courtyard is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

Hours

Monday to Friday - 35 hours a week