Welfare Officer – Secondary School – Derby

Job description

Welfare Officer – Secondary School – Derby

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Paid to scale

School Information

This is a well-established Secondary School in Derby, providing education for students across Key Stages 3 and 4. The school has a strong commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in which every student is given the opportunity to succeed.

The school recognises that student welfare is closely connected to attendance, engagement, behaviour and academic progress. A dedicated pastoral structure provides students with access to staff who can offer practical guidance and support when difficulties arise.

The school works closely with families and external professionals where appropriate and places importance on early identification of welfare concerns.

The successful Welfare Officer will work alongside pastoral leaders, safeguarding staff, teachers and senior leaders to ensure that students receive appropriate support.

The school has a collaborative staff culture and expects all employees to contribute towards maintaining a positive, respectful and inclusive environment.

Welfare Officer Role

The school is looking to appoint a compassionate, organised and professional Welfare Officer to join its pastoral support team.

The successful candidate will provide day-to-day welfare support to students and will act as an important point of contact for pupils who may need additional assistance during the school day.

You will monitor individual welfare concerns, maintain accurate records and communicate relevant information to appropriate staff.

The role may involve supporting students experiencing emotional, social, attendance or other difficulties that are affecting their education.

The successful candidate must be approachable while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day welfare support to students.

• Act as a professional point of contact for pupils requiring assistance.

• Listen to students and provide appropriate practical support.

• Identify and report welfare concerns.

• Monitor students receiving additional welfare support.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records.

• Communicate concerns to safeguarding and pastoral staff.

• Work closely with Heads of Year and pastoral leaders.

• Liaise with parents and carers where appropriate.

• Support students experiencing difficulties that may affect attendance or engagement.

• Assist students returning following periods of absence.

• Monitor welfare-related attendance concerns.

• Support individual student welfare plans.

• Attend meetings concerning student welfare.

• Work with external professionals when directed by senior staff.

• Follow safeguarding procedures at all times.

• Escalate concerns appropriately.

• Support wider student wellbeing initiatives.

• Promote positive relationships throughout the school.

• Maintain professional boundaries.

• Handle sensitive information appropriately.

• Support pastoral staff with administrative tasks.

• Maintain clear records of interventions and communication.

• Contribute to an inclusive and supportive school environment.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will have previous experience working with children or young people in a welfare, pastoral, educational, healthcare, youth or community setting.

You should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to establish trusting but professional relationships with students.

The role requires someone who can communicate calmly and effectively, including when dealing with sensitive or challenging circumstances.

Strong organisational skills are essential because you will be responsible for maintaining records and coordinating support.

An understanding of safeguarding is important, and you must be able to follow school procedures when concerns are raised.

Requirements

• Experience working with children or young people.

• Previous welfare, pastoral or student-support experience.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent organisational abilities.

• Ability to maintain confidential records.

• Understanding of safeguarding.

• Professional and approachable manner.

• Ability to remain calm in challenging circumstances.

• Strong professional boundaries.

• Ability to work collaboratively.

• Good IT and administrative skills.

• Ability to communicate with parents and carers.

• Commitment to student welfare and inclusion.

• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection.

What the School Offers

• Full-time, permanent employment.

• Established pastoral and welfare structures.

• Supportive leadership team.

• Collaborative working environment.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Modern school facilities.

• Varied student-support responsibilities.

• Opportunity to contribute directly to student wellbeing.

• Supportive and professional staff team.

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