At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students' attendance and remove barriers to education through collaboration with families and agencies.
- Company: Join King Edward VII Academy, a supportive environment focused on student welfare.
- Benefits: Generous leave, health plan, pension scheme, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives and help them thrive in education.
- Qualifications: Degree or NVQ Level 4 in relevant fields and experience in social work or education.
The predicted salary is between 27702 - 29601 £ per year.
Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale G: £27,702 to £29,601 pro‑ra per annum (Actual) (£31,537 - £33,699 full time/full year equivalent)
Full Time: 37 hours per week
Working Weeks: 39 weeks
A September start is preferred, subject to completed onboarding checks. Start date can be discussed at interview.
This role will be based at King Edward VII Academy, Gaywood Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2QB.
King Edward VII Academy is seeking a reliable and responsible Education Welfare Officer to help drive the attendance strategy at the school. The role involves working with pupils, their families, staff and external agencies to unlock barriers to attendance and ensure that all pupils can engage with school as fully as possible.
What You’ll Be Doing
- To ensure children attend school regularly and to support families and schools in removing barriers to education.
- To identify those children in need of support by reason of their behaviour, absence from academy, family dysfunction, disability, social or emotional needs or any other special educational needs and to support children whose education is at risk.
- To assess need, plan interventions, implement effective action and evaluate outcomes against agreed objectives, whilst involving service users in decisions whenever possible.
- To work with parents and other stakeholders in relation to student support.
- To assist the Academy to safeguard students through joint work with partner agencies.
- To accurately complete admission and attendance registers, as well as to regularly monitor data to identify patterns and trends and understand which pupils and pupil cohorts to focus on.
About You
The ideal candidate for this post will be organised, professional, able to establish good relationships with pupils and their families, act as a role model and be innovative in their responses to the attendance challenges that they discover. In addition, you will have excellent communication skills, be able to confidently present information when required and possess excellent IT skills. You will need to be able to manage your time effectively, work under your own initiative as well as contribute to the attendance team as a whole and work with team members to implement attendance initiatives for individuals and across the school. You will be required to monitor and manage an ever changing caseload and monitor the impact of actions that are taken.
Essential
- First degree or NVQ Level 4 in social work, teaching, counselling, psychology or youth and community work or other work related to work with children and/or relevant experience
- Training on safeguarding
- Experience of using social work or counselling approach to working with parents and children
- Knowledge of school systems and pastoral systems
- Ability to undertake assessments and write reports to a high standard
Desirable
- Experience of working in the education system and in multi‑agency settings
Benefits
- Generous annual leave, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions
- Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim‑back options for healthcare costs
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology).
- Free parking at most sites
- Personalised CPD and development programmes
- A structured and specific induction programme.
*Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.
Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities
Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Closing date for applications: 12pm on Friday 7th August 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed
Education Welfare Officer employer: King Edward VII Academy
At King Edward VII Academy, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where every team member is valued. Our commitment to professional development ensures that you will have access to personalised CPD programmes and a structured induction, while our generous benefits package, including health plans and pension contributions, reflects our dedication to employee well-being. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of our pupils in the vibrant community of King's Lynn.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Welfare Officer
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at King Edward VII Academy.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from King Edward VII Academy!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like King Edward VII Academy, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at King Edward VII Academy or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Welfare Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to King Edward VII Academy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to King Edward VII Academy! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at King Edward VII Academy
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
