Education Welfare Officer

Education Welfare Officer

Grade: F   Annual Salary: £32,909 to £35,411 (pay award pending)

                  Actual Salary:

Under 5 years continuous service £28,906 to £31,103

                  Over 5 years continuous service £29,566 to £31,803

Permanent position - 37 hours per week 40 weeks per year

Based at Morley Meadow, Plymstock, Plymouth (travel to school sites required)

WeST is a complex schools trust that is maturing rapidly, and this post provides an exciting opportunity to join an organisation with students and staff at its heart, built on an extensive track record of excellence. 

Our Trust consists of 26 schools (in both primary and secondary phases) and West Learning Institute (WLI). Our schools are in relatively close geographical proximity to one another, across south Devon, Plymouth and south-east Cornwall. We are positioned in the heart of the south-west peninsula, a stone’s throw from some of the most picturesque countryside and coastal locations in the UK.

This newly created role will work under the Director of Inclusion to support the work of schools to improve attendance.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Providing a central education welfare service to promote positive attitudes towards regular attendance for four secondary schools in Plymouth and across the wider Trust, to improve attendance levels and to support the requirements of the Trust’s schools to fulfil their legal obligations
• Delivering consistent, high quality education welfare services, liaising with the Local Authority and all stakeholders to provide support with attendance related issues
• Establishing a high-quality responsive education welfare offer and contributing to future developments in this area

If you are looking for a new challenge and the following describes you, we would be interested in hearing from you:

• Significant relevant experience in the provision of education welfare support with a measurable impact on improving school attendance rates
• Passion for education and ensuring the best possible educational outcomes for children and young people
• Knowledge and recent experience of school attendance processes
• Understanding of multi-agency targeted interventions to support vulnerable young people and their families
• An excellent team player with the ability to work on your own initiative and make judgements within the boundaries of the role to meet changing demands. 
• Outstanding standards of communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to quickly develop professional working partnerships.

In return we offer:

• Working with a supportive team who genuinely want the best for students in our care and our staff.
• A commitment to your own professional development
• Generous contractual provisions around maternity, annual leave and sick pay.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, one of the most generous schemes in the UK, with high employer contributions through national provider Peninsula Pensions.
• Free eye tests and contributions towards VDU use glasses.
• The opportunity to buy a bike or the latest Tech through our Cycle and Tech schemes. You pay nothing upfront, and the payments are taken tax efficiently from your salary through salary sacrifice.
• An Employee Assistance Programme to all of our employees.
• Free Parking on-site
• Access to community sports centre gym facilities (based in secondary schools)

For an informal discussion about role please contact Richard Woodland rwoodland@westst.org.uk to arrange a call.

If you believe you can demonstrate the dedication, knowledge and passion required, we look forward to receiving your application. Further details and an application form can be found on our website or our TES page. Completed applications should be submitted to recruitment@westst.org.uk by 9am on Friday 10 February or via our TES page*.

* NOTE: The Trust reserves the right to call suitable candidates for interview on receipt of applications prior to the date above, and may close the vacancy early if a successful appointment is made, otherwise we anticipate holding interviews on Monday 20 February.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this post.