Family Support Worker & Attendance Officer

About Us

The Laurus Trust is a highly successful and growing multi-academy trust in the North West of England, with Cheadle Hulme High School (CHHS), the founder school, at its centre. Our vision is for everyone regardless of background or circumstance to be inspired, to thrive in all environments, to recognise what it takes to succeed, to set aspirational goals and to work hard to achieve them.

All our Laurus Schools are hugely oversubscribed and have a reputation, both locally and further afield, for outstanding teaching and learning through the relentless pursuit of excellence and the determination to ensure that every child succeeds. In the recent Staff Engagement Survey, 97% of our employees stated that they would recommend working for Laurus Trust to their friends.

Due to continued growth and success, Didsbury High School is looking to appoint a pro-active and dedicated Family Support Worker & Attendance Officer to join the team. This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Laurus Trust family, and to play a vital role in maintaining the high standards of the Trust. Support staff work tirelessly to ensure all services run smoothly and efficiently, enabling our teaching staff to focus on delivering an outstanding education for our students.

Main Responsibilities  

• Act as the first point of contact for parents of families who require additional support. 
• Provide a high level of support to the most vulnerable students and their families to improve the welfare, achievement, attendance, attainment/progress, behaviour and any housing or financial difficulties. 
• Support with the coordination of outstanding whole school attendance. 
• Lead and/or assist in initiatives to improve attainment and progress of students who require additional support. 
• Establish positive relationships with parents, staff and outside agencies in line with the schools’ vision and values. 
• Work collaboratively with outside agencies and charities to offer the most appropriate and effective support for vulnerable families. 
• Set agendas, chair meetings and review actions/deadlines/outcomes for the most vulnerable students as and when required. 
• Take a lead role regarding the delivery and evaluation of specific projects to support the most vulnerable students and their families, including personalised curricula.  
• Work closely with the SEND team and Subject Leaders to identify barriers to achievement. 
• Complete Early Help Assessments for families to assess their needs and to ensure the most appropriate support is provided. 
• Conduct home visits and attend multi-agency meetings off site as and when required. 
• Provide ongoing information/reports on students for outside agencies. 
• Organise and manage the transition arrangements between key stages for those students and families requiring additional support. 
• Facilitate the transfer or placement of vulnerable students at other schools. 
• Manage resources used to support students in relation to learning, personal development and outside agencies.

Key Skills & Experience  

• Demonstratable experience of working with children/young people and involvement with parents is essential 
• Relevant experience of working with supporting agencies such as Children’s Services etc. would be advantageous 
• Experience of working in a school environment is preferred 
• You must possess a sound educational background including GCSE’s in Maths and English (A*-C) or equivalent 
• A full First Aid Certificate would be beneficial

Employee Benefits

We offer a wide range of employee benefits to all of our staff in return for their commitment to our schools, and to help contribute towards improving their well-being. These can be found listed in the Applicant Pack. 

Core Behaviours

At the Laurus Trust, it is not just about what we do but also about how we do it. Our core behaviours detailed below provide guidance on the expectations we have of our staff. It is essential that any employee joining the Trust is able to demonstrate some or all of these behaviours on a regular/daily basis: 

• Adaptable - Open to change, to be flexible 
• Courageous - Willing to speak up, offer ideas, challenge the norm 
• Hard Working - Strong work ethic, prepared to go the extra mile 
• Inclusive - Treat others fairly and equally 
• Engaged - Involved/absorbed in your work, participate at all times 
• Value - Add value to your role, your team and the Trust 
• Enquiring - Have an enquiring mind, curious, improve and find solutions 
• Motivated - Pro-active, wanting to achieve goals, willingness to try, can do attitude 
• Encouraging - Giving/offering support and confidence to others, working together 
• Navigator - Providing guidance, leading when necessary 
• Tenacious - Perseverance, never giving up, whatever it takes

Applying to the Laurus Trust

If you want to work in a highly ambitious and successful school, and have the passion and commitment to join us at an exciting time of continuous progression and growth, then we would like to hear from you. 

For more information about The Laurus Trust, or for further information relating to the role and the School you’re applying to, please download the Candidate Information Pack or visit https://www.laurustrust.co.uk/

Please note: an application form must be completed as CV’s will not be accepted. To complete an application form please click ‘Quick Apply’.

Disability Confident Committed

The Laurus Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities for all candidates. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we strongly encourage applications from all persons with a known disability, and we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview and given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talents and abilities. 

If you would prefer to request a manual application pack, or should you require any additional support in completing your application, please feel free to contact us on 0161 485 7201 or via e-mail at; recruitment@laurustrust.co.uk  

Closing Date: Monday 20th September 2021 at 9.00am

Interview Date: Friday 1st October 2021

The Laurus Trust and its affiliated schools are committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.

We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across the school. This is in line with statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education and The Education Act 2002, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.