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- Tasks: Lead initiatives to boost student attendance and support families in a dynamic school environment.
- Company: Join Groveside School, a new special educational needs school dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while prioritising your wellbeing with a 4-day work week.
- Qualifications: GCSE Maths and English required; passion for supporting students and families is essential.
- Other info: Be part of a warm, collaborative team focused on professional growth and student success.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
Location: Groveside School, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 7AY
Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum depending on experience (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Fixed Term – Until April 2027 | Term Time Only
Start: April 2026
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship
About the Role
You will provide a professional, child-centred service focused on improving attendance, engagement, wellbeing and outcomes for our pupils. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Extended Leadership Team, you will lead on attendance strategy, EBSA interventions, family support and pupil induction and transition.
You will hold a caseload of pupils, work directly with families, and act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring that safeguarding, wellbeing and mental health are embedded across school life.
You will:
- Lead and implement strategies to improve attendance, reduce persistent absence and remove barriers to learning
- Work closely with pupils and families to provide early intervention, parenting support and emotional wellbeing guidance
- Manage EBSA interventions and support pupils experiencing anxiety or difficulties accessing education
- Lead pupil induction, transition, assessment visits and consultations for new starters
- Track, analyse and report attendance data, creating Individual Attendance and Education Plans (IAEPs) for pupils below 90% attendance
- Work collaboratively with external agencies, placing authorities and multi-agency teams, advocating strongly for pupils and families
- Promote a culture of listening to children, ensuring their voices, wishes and feelings shape support and safeguarding practice
- Support whole-school Mental Health and Wellbeing initiatives, including staff training and pupil programmes
The Ideal Candidate
We’re looking for someone who:
- Minimum GCSE Maths and English
- Thrives in a fun, fast-paced and rewarding environment
- Is an exceptional organiser and administrator, confident working with data and systems
- Has a passion for restorative practice and relationship-based work
- Is resilient, approachable and calm under pressure — with a great sense of humour
- Communicates confidently with pupils, families, staff and professionals
- Is creative, proactive and committed to bringing out the very best in pupils and families
- Is confident working with safeguarding processes and multi-agency professionals
At Groveside, you’ll be part of a warm, dedicated team that values collaboration, growth, and creativity. Supporting pupils with complex needs is incredibly rewarding — and you’ll make a genuine difference every day.
About Us
Groveside School is a Brand-New Special Educational Needs School for Pupils 7 - 16 years old with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. Our school opened in September 2024 and will cater for 60 pupils. To the ideal candidate, Groveside School offers the following opportunities:
- To work in a school that is passionate about all achievement for all pupils.
- To work with fantastic pupils who enjoy a dynamic and engaging curriculum.
- To begin your journey with a strong induction programme tailored to your experience and needs.
- To engage collaboratively within a very supportive environment where professional development is an essential aspect of our daily practice.
- To develop your career.
- To be committed to creating exceptional pupil experiences and learning for all.
Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people's lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.
We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- Your Wellbeing Matters – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
- 4-Day Working Week: Work 80% of your hours, get 100% pay**Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
Family Engagement and Attendance Leader - Maternity Cover in Reading employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Engagement and Attendance Leader - Maternity Cover in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their mission. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of #teamOFG.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Engagement and Attendance Leader - Maternity Cover in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Family Engagement and Attendance Leader. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for working with children and families shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in pupils' lives, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well, so we can easily see why you’d be a great fit for Groveside School.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands and helps us get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of Family Engagement and Attendance Leader inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like improving attendance and supporting families. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in engagement, safeguarding, and working with families. Think about times when you've successfully supported pupils or implemented strategies to improve attendance. This will give the interviewers a clear picture of what you can bring to the team.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the school's culture, the support available for staff, or how they measure success in this role. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to the school's mission.
✨Be Yourself
The ideal candidate is someone who is approachable and has a great sense of humour. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through during the interview. Being genuine will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate that you would fit well within their warm and dedicated team.
