At a Glance
- Tasks: Support pupils struggling with attendance through mentoring and personalised plans.
- Company: Lowton Church of England High School, a supportive community-focused school.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, term-time hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team committed to student welfare and success.
- Why this job: Help students overcome barriers to education and improve their mental health.
- Qualifications: Experience in support roles and a full UK driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 27913 - 27913 £ per year.
Lowton Church of England High School is an 11-16 comprehensive school of around 800 pupils. The role supports pupils who are struggling to attend school and focuses on a support-first approach outlined in the DfE statutory guidance Working Together to Improve School Attendance (2024).
What the role involves:
- You make same-day contact with families when a pupil is absent, starting with first-day calls, so that no absence goes unaddressed.
- You hold a daily presence on punctuality, recording lateness, speaking with pupils as they arrive, and arranging follow-up where it is needed.
- You meet pupils one to one and in small groups to understand what keeps them from school, and you act on what you learn.
- Where emotionally based school avoidance is a factor, you adjust your approach accordingly.
- You mentor a caseload of pupils who need support with their mental health, meeting them regularly to help them stay engaged with school and signposting them to specialist help where it is needed.
- You carry out home visits and welfare checks, working within the school's lone-working and safeguarding procedures at all times.
- You write and review personalised attendance support plans with the Senior Pastoral Lead, the pupil and the family, and you track whether they are working.
- You focus on pupils who are persistently or severely absent, and you measure the difference your work makes.
- You lead Early Help assessments and meetings, and you bring in external agencies, such as family support services, when a family needs more.
- You report to the Senior Pastoral Lead.
The role involves regular travel for home visits, so you will need a full, valid UK driving licence and access to a car, or another reliable means of covering the local area during the school day.
Full employment checks will be undertaken in accordance with KCSIE, including identity, Right to Work, qualifications, Prohibition check, two references and an enhanced DBS check including the Children’s Barred List. The position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures plus child barred list check.
Salary: Grade 6, SCP pt 14-20, £25,296 – £27,913 per annum. Hours: 37 hours per week, term time, working 38+1 weeks per year. Permanent.
To view the details relating to this position, please contact the school business manager at recruitment@lowtonhs.wigan.sch.uk.
Attendance Officer in Wigan employer: Lowton CE High School
Lowton Church of England High School is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while fostering a supportive environment for students. With a focus on mental health and personalised support, employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of pupils, all within a collaborative and nurturing school culture. The school offers professional growth opportunities and values the contributions of its staff, making it a rewarding place to work in the heart of Lowton.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Attendance Officer in Wigan
✨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 Lowton CE High School.
✨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 Lowton CE High School!
✨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 Lowton CE High School, 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 Lowton CE High School 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 Attendance Officer in Wigan
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 Lowton CE High School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lowton CE High School! 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 Lowton CE High School
✨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.
