Student Welfare Officer

Looking to support your local academy? We are looking for a engaging and committed Student Welfare Officer to assist in student welfare across the academy.

About Us

Our vision at Harris Academy Peckham is to ensure every child achieves excellence in all aspects of academy life.  We have high aspirations, both in terms of academic standards and personal development, in order to prepare your child for the demands of the 21st century global workplace.  We expect every child to excel, and will provide the necessary challenge and support to make this happen.

In line with all Harris Academies, we ensure that we prepare engaging and innovative learning experiences for our students, within a disciplined context where good manners, smart uniform and  mature conduct are expected from all.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Student Support

• Maintaining the register of vulnerable students. This to include looked after students, those on the child protection register, refugees, YOT or children identified as being in need either by Academy staff or external agencies. To ensure that this information is circulated on a need to know basis;
• To organise meetings as appropriate for vulnerable students ensuring all external agencies and relevant staff are invited. Preparing paperwork as appropriate and taking minutes where required;
• To assist in home visits as appropriate;
• To administer correspondence and collate information for students who are attending respite or off-site provision;
• To maintain the register and tracking systems for students on PSP (At risk of permanent exclusion);
• To organise PSP review meetings as appropriate ensuring all external agencies and relevant staff are invited. Preparing paperwork as appropriate and taking minutes where required;
• Ensuring the smooth running of the student information centre (SIC), ensuring support for students has a positive impact on raising achievement;
• To communicate effectively with all external agencies including possible alternative providers eg. Special schools, LEA and other external agencies;
• To manage the appointments for external services to meet with students and families. Eg. Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Councillor, as requested by the SENCO;
• To ensure effective communication/consultation as appropriate with the parents of students through phone, letter and website as relevant;
• Providing and maintaining communication links with medical, social and other external agencies e.g. CAMHS ( Children Adolescent Mental Health Service) , Individual Tuition Units, Local Authorities, Social Service Departments, Youth Offending Team and Police for the purpose of providing and sharing relevant information on students;
• The preparation of reports and maintaining records relating to student referrals and subsequent counselling or support from academy staff or other agencies;
• Representing the academy at case conferences by providing the necessary information on a student and reporting back to appropriate academy staff.

Attendance and Punctuality

• To cover for Attendance Manager in his/her absence

Other Duties

• Maintaining the student’s files, ensuring confidentiality at all times;
• To support with students referred for unsatisfactory uniform, including supervision of make-up and nail varnish removal. This will include logging of incidents and contact with home and sending home to change where appropriate after gaining authority from a VP or the Principal;
• To support with initial assessment of student medical requirements and delegation to First Aid trained staff/ emergency services as appropriate;
• Providing advice and counselling to students as required;
• Supervision of students whilst waiting for appropriate action to be agreed/taken;
• Meeting parents/carers, including making home visits where required;
• To maintain a tidy, organised and professional working environment at all times;
• To ensure the academy health and safety policies and practices, including risk assessments, throughout the department are in line with national requirements and are updated where necessary;
• Referring cases where appropriate to the named person with responsibility for child protection;
• To be responsible for own professional development, identifying training needs and requesting courses as appropriate.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Training

• Educated degree standard or equivalent
• Sound Knowledge of Microsoft software
• Knowledge of CMIS system for input and export of student data for students on the SEN profile
• Knowledge of SEN
• Knowledge of the range of agencies that work with students and their families
• Training in child protection and safeguarding procedures
• Basic knowledge of first aid; e.g. emergency first aid course
• Basic knowledge of a range of special needs terms and their meanings
• Knowledge of many of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Experience

• 3 years’ experience of working in an inner city school or educational establishment
• Experience of setting up multi agency meetings, taking and circulating minutes as appropriate.
• Experience of managing SEN administration
• Experience in a similar role
• Experience of working with young people with learning needs
• Experience of working with young people with challenging behaviour

Personal Skills & Qualities

• Full working knowledge of relevant policies/codes of practice
• 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 effecting 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
• Good communication skills
• Have commitment to own personal and professional development
• Commitment to equality and diversity
• Empathy with the aims and objectives of the Harris Federation

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.