Attendance Officer in Manchester

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an Attendance Officer to join our fantastic team at Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA). This is a Grade 6, permanent post working 35 hours per week, term time only plus 3 weeks (total 41 weeks worked per annum). The starting salary is £29,969 and the full-time equivalent is £33,143. This role is expected to commence once the pre-employment checks are complete.

MEA is seeking a dedicated and resilient Attendance Officer to join our team and play a key role in improving attendance and engagement across the school. This is a vital role working closely with students, families, school leaders, and external agencies to remove barriers to attendance and ensure every child can access high-quality education.

The successful candidate will bring experience of working with children, young people, and families in education, social care, or community settings, and will have a strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and relevant legislation.

Key Responsibilities

As Attendance Officer, you will:

• Implement and support school attendance policies and procedures, ensuring staff understand their impact on pupils and families.
• Manage a caseload of attendance cases, maintaining accurate documentation and preparing evidence to support legal action, including court proceedings where required.
• Track, analyse, and report on attendance data, identifying patterns and trends to inform interventions and strategic planning.
• Work closely with SLT, teaching staff, and external agencies to plan and deliver attendance initiatives, campaigns, truancy sweeps, and school blitzes.
• Coordinate and carry out home visits, including lone visits, cold calls, and joint visits with partner agencies such as Police, Health, and Social Care.
• Support the monitoring and enforcement of attendance parenting orders and post-prosecution casework.
• Deliver training to staff, governors, and key stakeholders on attendance regulations, legislation, and best practice.
• Conduct interviews in line with child protection and other relevant legislation.
• Liaise with staff to support appropriate learning provision for pupils facing barriers to on-site attendance.
• Promote equality, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of service delivery.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety and engage in ongoing professional development.

Who we're looking for

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in supporting children, young people, and families.
• Knowledgeable about safeguarding, child protection, and attendance-related legislation.
• Confident in managing complex cases and making sound, balanced decisions.
• Resilient, organised, and able to work calmly under pressure.
• Skilled in building positive relationships with pupils, parents, staff, and external agencies.
• Committed to inclusive practice and improving outcomes for all students.

Why Join MEA?

- Be part of a supportive and committed team.

- Make a real difference to the lives of children and families.

- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.

- A school community focused on inclusion, high expectations, and student success.

How to apply

Please follow the online application process to be considered; early applications are encouraged. Interviews are scheduled to take place in school during March.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including:

• High quality CPD for all roles.
• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of everyday health care expenses.
• Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff.
• Good holidays – teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document; non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service.
• Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free.
• Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines.
• Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans.
• Flexible working options - we’re happy to talk flexible working where possible.
• Mental Health First Aid in every school.
• Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more.
• bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases.

Job Application Information

Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Equality Statement

Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For application support, contact us on 0161 527 7953 or email jobs@prospere.org.uk