At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students at risk of leaving college and promote welfare services.
- Company: Newham College London, a leading post-16 education provider.
- Benefits: Term-time only position with opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to safeguarding and supporting all learners.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Business Admin or relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 31537 - 40000 £ per year.
About Us: Newham College London, now merged with NewVIc Sixth Form College, is the largest post-16 education provider in Newham. With campuses in East Ham, Stratford, Plaistow, and the London City Institute of Technology (LCIoT) in Canning Town, we serve over 11,000 students across a range of pathways – including 16–18 study, adult education, apprenticeships, and higher education. With over 800 staff, four main campuses, and an annual turnover of £60 million, Newham College is one of the borough’s largest employers and plays a key role in driving local economic and community development.
The Role: As a Welfare Assistant you will play a key role in the monitoring of students at risk of leaving college ensuring that effective intervention strategies are in place to keep students on programme. You will support the safeguarding and mental health teams with administrative duties, booking appointments and signposting students to appropriate internal and external agencies. (Please note this is a Term-time only position)
Key Responsibilities:
- To work with curriculum teams to identify and support students who are ‘at risk of leaving’.
- To provide advice and guidance to staff on welfare and mental health issues and any relevant policy updates.
- To provide advice, guidance, and support to students on a range of welfare issues including but not limited to; financial support, housing, physical health and mental/emotional health.
- Maintain close links with specialist statutory and non-statutory external agencies and develop effective referral systems.
- Ensure ‘Welfare Checks and data’ are responded to quickly and via the council’s online portals.
- Effectively promote the welfare services to all students at Newham College including Apprentices and Adult Learners.
- Attend external meetings, training, and events on behalf of the College regarding welfare, safeguarding and mental health, liaising effectively with outside agencies where and when necessary.
- Manage a small case load of welfare cases.
- To support Care Experienced (LAC)/Previously Looked After and Care Leavers by supporting PEP reviews whilst liaising with Social Workers, external partners, and Carers.
- To support the Safeguarding and Welfare Officers and Mental Health Advisors as and when required.
- To work collaboratively across the College with all students and staff.
- To support with the minute taking of Team and Committee meetings.
- To assist in the management of appropriate administrative and data collection systems, which meet College and external partner/agency requirements.
- Contribute to a review and evaluation of the areas Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
Our Ideal candidate should have the following qualifications, skills and experience:
- Level 3 qualification in Business Admin or Customer Services or relevant recent experience
- GCSE Grade 4 English and maths
- Mental Health First Aid trained (Desirable)
- Experience of supporting young people in a similar role
- Experience of recording data in a timely and accurate manner
- Experience of delivering high quality information, advice and guidance
- Experience of using and maintaining databases and IT systems to record data
- Experience of organising events and activities
- Experience of developing effective relationship/partnership working
- Experience of representing a brand in an outward facing role
- Experience of developing promotional/information materials
- Experience of successfully working in an educational setting (desirable)
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Display initiative, be positive and enthusiastic
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
- Excellent organisational, administrative and IT skills
- Excellent customer service skills
- Willingness to work flexible hours including evening and some Saturdays
Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults: In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. All employment offers are subject to employment checks. These include (some of which are dependent on the role and the individual): Enhanced DBS including Children’s Barred List check, DfE teaching/management Barred List check, online searches, overseas criminal record check, evidence of identity and Right to Work in the UK, satisfactory references, confirmation of medical fitness, evidence of relevant qualifications and a check of previous employment history. The College is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all learners and expects its staff to share this commitment. You will be required to become familiar with the College's policies, and comply with the requirements to safeguard and protect the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are asked to complete mandatory training in relation to KCSIE and other key areas, and to read the relevant policies.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: The College has a strong commitment to working towards the implementation of equality of opportunity in both service delivery and employment. The College’s mission and strategic objectives directly support this aim. All employees are required to actively support the development, dissemination and implementation of this aim and related policies and programmes.
Recruitment Process: The email account you use to apply will be used for all recruitment communication. Please ensure that you use an email account that you regularly monitor. All application forms must be fully completed, including a full record of education and employment history. Incomplete applications will not be considered for shortlisting. The salary for this position is inclusive of London weighting. Please note that we advertise our salaries on a range to indicate the trajectory of progression that can be made. Appointments are usually made at the start of the salary range. We regret that we are unable to respond to every application. Therefore, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications. Please note that we do not accept CVs.
Welfare Assistant in London employer: Newham College London
Newham College London is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its staff. With a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, employees benefit from tailored development opportunities and a collaborative culture that empowers them to make a meaningful impact on students' lives. Located in the vibrant borough of Newham, the college not only serves a diverse student population but also plays a pivotal role in community development, making it an inspiring place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Assistant in London
✨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 Newham College London.
✨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 Newham College London!
✨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 Newham College London, 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 Newham College London 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 Welfare Assistant in London
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 Newham College London:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Newham College London! 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 Newham College London
✨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.
