At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children, improve attendance, and coordinate safeguarding processes.
- Company: Join Mayflower Community Academy, part of a caring and inclusive Trust.
- Benefits: Professional development, collaborative environment, and commitment to staff wellbeing.
- Other info: Be part of the largest primary school trust in Plymouth with excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and strengthen community ties.
- Qualifications: GCSE Maths and English, safeguarding knowledge, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 36840 £ per year.
Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of children and their families?
Mayflower Community Academy is seeking an exceptional Family Support Advisor and Safeguarding Officer to join our dedicated team.
This is a rewarding opportunity for a compassionate, proactive and highly organised individual who is committed to improving outcomes for children and supporting families to overcome barriers to education and wellbeing.
Working at the heart of our school community, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening relationships between home and school, supporting vulnerable families, improving attendance, coordinating safeguarding processes and ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive.
About the Role
The successful candidate will
- Promote and improve parental engagement and involvement in school life.
- Provide support, advice and guidance to families experiencing social, emotional, behavioural or wellbeing challenges.
- Work proactively with families to improve pupil attendance and reduce exclusions.
- Develop positive relationships with parents, carers, pupils and external agencies.
- Coordinate and lead multi-agency safeguarding meetings, including EHATs.
- Produce and maintain safeguarding, welfare and child protection records and reports.
- Act as a key safeguarding officer and parent liaison within the school.
- Organise parent inductions, school tours and family engagement activities.
- Support home visits and transition arrangements for new pupils and families.
- Work collaboratively with community partners to ensure families receive timely and effective support.
About You
We are looking for an individual who
- Has GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent).
- Has knowledge and experience of safeguarding and child protection procedures
- Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Can build positive and professional relationships with children, families and external agencies.
- Has strong organisational and administrative skills.
- Is confident using Microsoft Office applications and school information systems.
- Can prioritise effectively, manage competing demands and work independently when required.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Why Join Mayflower Community Academy?
Mayflower Community Academy is part of the Learning Academies Trust, a family of schools committed to delivering exceptional learning opportunities for every child.
We are proud to work collaboratively with our families and communities and place inclusion, kindness and aspiration at the heart of all we do.
About the Trust
The Learning Academies Trust is a family of 18 schools across Plymouth and surrounding areas, dedicated to delivering outstanding education to all our children, whatever their starting point or background.
Our Trust’s mission is
Together we will… work with our children, families, and communities to provide exceptional learning opportunities for all our children
As part of the trust, we will support you to learn and develop, providing outstanding CPD and opportunities for collaboration between schools within the trust sharing resources, expertise and knowledge.
Further information about the position, the trust and the benefits we offer can be found in the attached recruitment pack.
Please note, the closing date is for guidance only.
Successful applicants will be invited to interview at the earliest available opportunity.
Learning Academies Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.
With 18 individual primary schools, the Learning Academies Trust is the largest primary school trust in Plymouth and the first education employer in Plymouth to achieve the Livewell Southwest Wellbeing at Work Bronze Award.
The Trust is committed to supporting the wellbeing of all staff and is proud to work closely with official bodies to ensure we have a holistic approach to staff wellbeing.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out; references will be sought for all shortlisted candidates and all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a questionnaire about any convictions or adult cautions that are unspent.
Guidance will be given to those shortlisted.
Appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS.
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Family Support Adviser and Safeguarding Officer in Plymouth employer: Mayflower Academy
Mayflower Community Academy is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and their families. As part of the Learning Academies Trust, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises inclusion, kindness, and professional development, offering outstanding CPD opportunities and collaboration across our 18 schools. Located in Plymouth, we are proud to be the first education employer in the area to achieve the Livewell Southwest Wellbeing at Work Bronze Award, ensuring a holistic approach to staff wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Adviser and Safeguarding Officer in Plymouth
✨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 Mayflower 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 Mayflower 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 Mayflower 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 Mayflower 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 Family Support Adviser and Safeguarding Officer in Plymouth
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 Mayflower Academy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Mayflower 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 Mayflower 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.
