Education Welfare Officer

Education Welfare Officer

Windsor Full-Time 28400 - 32000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support schools in improving attendance and assist families facing challenges.
  • Company: Achieving for Children is a not-for-profit social enterprise focused on education and community support.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 29 days annual leave, flexible working options, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on children's education while working in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: A Levels or equivalent; degree preferred; valid UK driving license required.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable children.

The predicted salary is between 28400 - 32000 £ per year.

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company with a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate, enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston, and Richmond), we offer the benefits of a social enterprise with the employment advantages of local government. To find out more about us, visit our website.

Education Welfare Officer

The Education Welfare Service plays a vital role in supporting schools across RBWM to improve and maintain high standards of attendance. We provide expert advice and guidance in line with the latest DfE attendance policies, working closely with internal teams and external agencies to support young people and their families. Our goal is to ensure every child has equal access to education by building strong, positive relationships with schools, pupils, and families to drive improved attendance outcomes.

Please note: The salary advertised is full-time equivalent and will be pro-rata for part-time hours.

  • Operational area: Windsor and Maidenhead
  • Primary place of work: Maidenhead Town Hall, SL6 1LF
  • Appointment type: Fixed Term
  • Length of contract: 24 months
  • Business area: Education
  • Work hours: 37 hours/week
  • Term: Term time (38 weeks)
  • Salary range: £33,292 to £37,158 (G6.41 to G6.44)
  • Estimated interview date: TBC
  • Closing date: 27/07/2025

About the role

As an Education Welfare Officer, your responsibilities will include:

  • Supporting allocated schools in RBWM to improve and maintain attendance standards and acting as their designated education welfare officer.
  • Responding effectively to attendance queries and supporting families facing difficulties.
  • Formulating action plans with schools and families for pupils experiencing attendance issues.
  • Investigating persistent pupil absences and working directly with pupils and families.
  • Preparing reports and documentation for multi-agency meetings, child in need, and child protection cases.
  • Writing witness statements and attending court when required.
  • Advising schools and implementing measures for attendance issues, including issuing fixed penalty notices.
  • Supporting children with Emotional Related School Avoidance by creating support plans.
  • Analyzing attendance data via the ONE system and maintaining accurate records.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact the hiring manager, Annette Taylor.

About you

  • Educated to A Level or equivalent; a degree in a relevant field is desirable.
  • Valid UK Driving License.
  • Understanding of school settings and expectations.
  • Knowledge of child development and the impact of home and school environments.
  • Experience working with schools and agencies to support vulnerable pupils.
  • Experience maintaining records and producing reports for stakeholders.
  • Good interpersonal skills to engage with vulnerable children and challenging behaviors.

Benefits

We offer a positive, supportive environment with resources, competitive salary, and hybrid working options. Benefits include:

  • 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years, and 35 days after 4 years, plus a day off for your birthday (or non-working periods for term-time staff).
  • Tailored induction sessions.
  • Local Government salary and pension schemes.
  • Flexible working options.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Staff discounts and benefits.
  • Career development opportunities.

Important information

Start dates: Successful candidates will join on set dates each month.

Right to work: Check the latest guidance regarding UK immigration and sponsorship requirements.

Equality: We welcome applications from underrepresented communities and are committed to diversity and inclusion. We are a Disability Confident employer.

Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. This role requires a DBS check.

For more information: Meet Regina at the Civic Centre, Twickenham, on the first Wednesday of each month.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early once sufficient applications are received. Apply promptly to avoid missing out.

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Education Welfare Officer employer: Achieving For Children

Achieving for Children is an exceptional employer, offering a unique blend of public sector ethos and innovative practices within a supportive community environment. Located in Maidenhead, we provide our Education Welfare Officers with competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and flexible working options, all while fostering professional growth through tailored development opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact on children's education and well-being in Windsor and Maidenhead.
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Contact Detail:

Achieving For Children Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Education Welfare Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest DfE attendance policies and guidelines. This knowledge will not only help you understand the role better but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in the field.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the education sector, especially those who work with attendance issues. Engaging with others can provide insights into the challenges faced and how to effectively address them.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific strategies you've used or would use to improve attendance. Having concrete examples ready will show your proactive approach and problem-solving skills during the interview.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Achieving for Children and their initiatives. Understanding their ethos and how they operate will allow you to tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Education Welfare Officer

Knowledge of DfE attendance policies
Experience in formulating action plans
Ability to investigate pupil absences
Report writing skills
Understanding of child development
Interpersonal skills for engaging with vulnerable children
Experience working with schools and external agencies
Data analysis skills using the ONE system
Ability to maintain accurate records
Problem-solving skills
Communication skills for multi-agency meetings
Understanding of emotional related school avoidance
Valid UK Driving License
Adaptability in a school environment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Education Welfare Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these expectations.

Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience, particularly in education welfare or related fields. Use bullet points for clarity and focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to improve attendance and support vulnerable pupils.

Write a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter should express your passion for supporting children and families, as well as your understanding of the challenges they face. Mention specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to build relationships with schools and families.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Achieving For Children

✨Understand the Role

Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an Education Welfare Officer. Familiarise yourself with attendance policies and how they impact schools and families. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills

As this role involves working closely with vulnerable children and families, be prepared to discuss your interpersonal skills. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with challenging behaviours or supported families in difficult situations.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about past experiences where you've had to formulate action plans or investigate attendance issues, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.

✨Highlight Your Data Analysis Skills

Since analysing attendance data is a key part of the role, be prepared to discuss your experience with data management. Mention any tools or systems you've used in the past, and how you've utilised data to drive improvements in attendance.

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