At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and pupils, promoting positive relationships and wellbeing.
- Company: Orchard Manor School, a vibrant community focused on respect and kindness.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, health tools, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to student welfare and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of safeguarding and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 22950 - 28050 £ per year.
Orchard Manor School is a vibrant, values-driven specialist community where every child is known, respected and supported to belong. Rooted in strong relationships and a deep commitment to respect, kindness and wellbeing, our school is a place where pupils and staff thrive together. We pride ourselves on our collaborative, reflective culture, where learning is meaningful, personalised and ambitious, and where staff are well supported to continually develop their expertise. Set within beautiful woodland grounds in the seaside town of Dawlish, Orchard Manor offers a unique environment where education extends beyond the classroom, preparing young people for confident, independent lives within their communities.
As Family Liaison Officer, you will be a key point of contact for parents and carers, providing approachable, non-judgemental and practical support. You will work alongside pupils, families, school colleagues and external agencies to promote positive relationships, improve attendance and support pupil welfare and wellbeing. You will coordinate Early Help and Team Around the Family support, complete referrals where appropriate and, when required, act as Lead Professional. You will organise and deliver parent engagement activities, support families through pupil transitions, attend meetings with parents and carers, and maintain regular contact through meetings and home visits. The role also includes liaising with health, pastoral, transport and other specialist services, coordinating health meetings and clinics, maintaining accurate records and monitoring the effectiveness of support and interventions. Safeguarding is central to this role. You will need a strong understanding of safeguarding practice and the confidence to work sensitively with families who may be experiencing challenging or complex circumstances.
Key Responsibilities:
- To actively promote liaison between parents, school staff and other agencies, providing advice and support to develop the parent/school partnership and welfare of pupils.
- To advise on practical childcare and parenting skills, including how to meet the emotional needs of children.
- To support attendance at school by providing advice and information to parents, pupils or teachers.
- To liaise with external agencies regarding student welfare, pastoral, transition, health and attendance issues and ensure that all staff are aware and act on this information completing referrals where necessary.
- To coordinate, run and evaluate sessions with small groups of children and/or parents.
- To provide support in coordinating, monitoring and evaluating relevant projects set up to support the pastoral needs of pupils.
- To provide support for Team Leaders and teachers by attending meetings with families.
- To collate information to write appropriate referrals such as Early Help Referrals acting as lead professional.
- To manage health professional meetings and health clinics in school.
- To maintain accurate records ensuring interventions are documented.
- Liaise with other appropriate professionals, to utilise the range of activities, courses, organisations and individuals to engage pupils not switched on to learning.
- To manage a caseload of Team around the Family and parent meetings.
- To liaise and support families with transfer times and pupil placement plans.
- To attend curriculum parent evenings as a support for parents.
- Organise and lead parent engagement sessions.
- Maintaining regular contact with children and their families through home visits as needed.
- To work closely with transport and review transport requests and queries.
- Occasionally assisting with the safe transport of children to their homes when needed.
The Special Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of checks and references, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In accordance with guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education; the Trust will undertake an online search of all shortlisted candidates.
Family Liaison Officer in Dawlish employer: Orchard Manor School
Orchard Manor School is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing environment where dedicated professionals can thrive in their roles. With a strong emphasis on staff development and collaboration, employees benefit from ongoing training and support, fostering meaningful relationships with both colleagues and pupils. Located in the picturesque town of Dawlish, the school promotes a flexible and reflective work culture that values inclusivity and wellbeing, making it an ideal place for those passionate about special educational needs and outdoor learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Liaison Officer in Dawlish
✨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 Orchard Manor 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 Orchard Manor 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 Orchard Manor 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 Orchard Manor 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 Family Liaison Officer in Dawlish
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 Orchard Manor School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Orchard Manor 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 Orchard Manor 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.
