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- Tasks: Lead initiatives to boost student attendance and wellbeing while supporting families.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Groveside School, a new special educational needs school.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day working week, competitive pay, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives every day.
- Qualifications: GCSE Maths and English; strong organisational and communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Outcomes First Group, we believe life is about more than work. That’s why many of our schools are trialling a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) - work one day less each week while keeping full pay. Now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG and put your wellbeing first.
Role and Responsibilities
- You will provide a professional, child-centred service focused on improving attendance, engagement, wellbeing and outcomes for our pupils.
- Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Extended Leadership Team, you will lead on attendance strategy, EBSA interventions, family support and pupil induction and transition.
- You will hold a caseload of pupils, work directly with families, and act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring that safeguarding, wellbeing and mental health are embedded across school life.
- Lead and implement strategies to improve attendance, reduce persistent absence and remove barriers to learning.
- Work closely with pupils and families to provide early intervention, parenting support and emotional wellbeing guidance.
- Manage EBSA interventions and support pupils experiencing anxiety or difficulties accessing education.
- Lead pupil induction, transition, assessment visits and consultations for new starters.
- Track, analyse and report attendance data, creating Individual Attendance and Education Plans (IAEPs) for pupils below 90% attendance.
- Work collaboratively with external agencies, placing authorities and multi-agency teams, advocating strongly for pupils and families.
- Promote a culture of listening to children, ensuring their voices, wishes and feelings shape support and safeguarding practice.
- Support whole-school Mental Health and Wellbeing initiatives, including staff training and pupil programmes.
Qualifications and Required Qualities
- Minimum GCSE Maths and English.
- Thrives in a fun, fast-paced and rewarding environment.
- Is an exceptional organiser and administrator, confident working with data and systems.
- Has a passion for restorative practice and relationship-based work.
- Is resilient, approachable and calm under pressure – with a great sense of humour.
- Communicates confidently with pupils, families, staff and professionals.
- Is creative, proactive and committed to bringing out the very best in pupils and families.
- Is confident working with safeguarding processes and multi-agency professionals.
About Groveside and Opportunities
Groveside School is a Brand-New Special Educational Needs School for Pupils 7 - 16 years old with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. Our school opened in September 2024 and will cater for 60 pupils. To the ideal candidate, Groveside School offers opportunities to work in a school that is passionate about all achievement for all pupils, with a dynamic and engaging curriculum, a strong induction programme, collaborative support, professional development, and career development.
Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people's lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact. We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work for the sixth year running (as of 2025).
Why Join Us
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
- 4-Day Working Week: Work 80% of your hours, get 100% pay
Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.
Family Engagement and Attendance Leader - Maternity Cover in Reading employer: FirstGroup plc
Contact Detail:
FirstGroup plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Engagement and Attendance Leader - Maternity Cover in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who work with special educational needs. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up and shine! Attend local education fairs or workshops related to family engagement and mental health. It’s a great way to meet potential employers and showcase your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a school or organisation that excites you, don’t wait for a job ad. Send them a message expressing your interest and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills and passions. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining #teamOFG and making a difference in pupils' lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Engagement and Attendance Leader - Maternity Cover in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for working with children and families.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. Mention specific examples of how you've improved attendance or supported families in the past.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your organisational and communication skills. We’re looking for someone who can juggle multiple tasks while keeping everyone informed and engaged!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at FirstGroup plc
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Family Engagement and Attendance Leader inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around attendance strategies and family support. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your organisational skills, ability to work under pressure, and your approach to relationship-based work. Think about specific situations where you've successfully supported families or improved attendance, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Wellbeing
Since the role focuses on wellbeing and mental health, be ready to discuss how you would promote these values within the school. Share any relevant initiatives you've been part of or ideas you have for supporting pupils and families, showing that you align with the school's mission.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the school's approach to safeguarding or how they measure the success of their attendance strategies. It shows that you're engaged and thinking critically about how you can contribute to the team.
