Senior Education Welfare Officer

The Role: Senior Education Welfare Officer

Location: Southwark

Rate of Pay: £28 Umbrella P/H

We are currently looking for a dedicated and experienced Senior Education Welfare Officer to join our Family Early Help Service. This role is vital in supporting children, young people, and families to ensure access to education and improve outcomes for those at risk of exclusion or persistent non-attendance. By working collaboratively with schools, parents, and partner agencies, you will drive positive changes, helping to shape futures and deliver Southwark's Fairer Future promises.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Manage a caseload of families requiring targeted interventions to improve school attendance and prevent exclusions.
2. Collaborate with schools, families, and multi-agency partners to deliver bespoke support plans using a Team Around the Family (TAF) approach.
3. Proactively address issues around persistent non-attendance, leading to enforcement actions where necessary, including legal proceedings.
4. Support children at risk of exclusion by facilitating managed moves, developing multi-agency plans, and promoting alternative education solutions.
5. Lead on identifying and addressing cases of children missing education (CME), ensuring timely reintegration into educational settings.
6. Provide expert advice, training, and consultation to schools and professionals on education inclusion, attendance policies, and exclusion practices.
7. Maintain accurate case records and ensure compliance with legal and data protection standards.

What We're Looking For:

Qualifications: Relevant qualifications in education, social work, or a related field.

Experience: Proven experience in working with children, families, and schools to improve attendance and inclusion outcomes.

Skills:

In-depth knowledge of education legislation, including the Education Act 1996 and Children's Act 1989.

Strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Ability to manage complex caseloads, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively with stakeholders.