At a Glance
- Tasks: Support schools and families to improve student attendance and engagement.
- Company: Join a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy 29 days annual leave, flexible working options, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people every day.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable children and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 € per year.
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has 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 freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government.
We are seeking an innovative, enthusiastic, and skilled individual to join our Education Welfare Service as an Education Welfare Officer. Please note this is not a working from home role. Education Welfare Officers are out in schools and then office based on days when they are not in schools.
About the role
As an Education Welfare Officer, you will provide practical guidance to schools on attendance policy and relevant laws, offering advice and support to children and their parents/carers to promote good attendance and punctuality. Where appropriate, you will make recommendations to other agencies to provide vulnerable families with comprehensive support. The successful candidate will have experience as an Education Welfare Officer or in a similar role. You will join a dedicated team committed to promoting equal opportunities for all children to access appropriate educational entitlements. It is essential to work independently, manage a demanding workload, prioritise tasks, and adapt flexibly to changing challenges. A strong understanding of the education system, particularly regarding school attendance, is required.
As a vital part of the Education Welfare Service (EWS), you will work closely with headteachers and school staff, leading interventions that help pupils stay engaged and thrive in their education. You will guide families, strengthen attendance rates, and support pupils facing learning barriers. The role requires the ability to travel and work across Richmond and Kingston borough supporting and working in our schools as well as carry out home visits and meetings. Every visit, panel discussion, and intervention matters, with you at the heart of the school improvement efforts. When necessary, you will present cases and prepare evidence for the Magistrates Court, ensuring the safeguarding of at-risk pupils. Your voice will advocate for students who need the most support. Working alongside schools, parents and professionals from various services, you will ensure children and young people remain in school, feel supported, and reach their full potential. You will be supported by one of our experienced managers and have access to quality training and ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities.
About you
To be an Education Welfare Officer for AfC, you will be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people as well as demonstrating the following points:
- Experience of working with children, young people and their families who are either vulnerable or at risk between their home and school environments.
- Experience in a similar role working with both schools and other services within an education setting or similar.
- Ability to analyse and understand attendance data in order to assist in the reduction of school absence.
- Strong communication and organisational skills with the ability to form good working relationships with a range of internal and external colleagues.
- Passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people.
- Solution focused with experience building and maintaining strong partnerships and working on solutions to challenges.
- Knowledge of statutory legislation, policy, guidance and procedures (for example Children’s Act).
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month.
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC.
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension).
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance.
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
- A range of staff benefits and discounts.
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway.
We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Education Welfare Officer in Kingston employer: Achieving For Children
Achieving for Children is an exceptional employer that combines the ethos of a public sector organisation with the innovative spirit of a social enterprise. Located in the vibrant boroughs of Kingston and Richmond, we offer a supportive work culture with extensive professional development opportunities, competitive benefits including generous annual leave, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Welfare Officer in Kingston
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Achieving for Children and understand their ethos. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the role and the company culture, which can give you an edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've made a positive impact on children's lives. This will demonstrate your passion and suitability for the Education Welfare Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Welfare Officer in Kingston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for making a difference in children's lives shine through. We want to see your genuine interest in the role and how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience, especially if you've worked with vulnerable children or families. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and understanding of the education system.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Achieving For Children
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the education system, especially around school attendance policies and relevant laws. Brush up on the Children’s Act and any other legislation that might come up during your interview.
✨Show Your Passion
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported vulnerable families or improved attendance rates.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your ability to form strong working relationships with various stakeholders, including schools, parents, and other services. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with others to tackle challenges in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenarios
Think about potential scenarios you might face as an Education Welfare Officer. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific situations, such as advocating for a student in need or presenting a case to the Magistrates Court.
