At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable students and families to improve attendance and wellbeing in a specialist school.
- Company: Join a compassionate team at Shaw Education Trust, dedicated to empowering young minds.
- Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement, health benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community that values every voice and fosters personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and their families every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in education or children's services, strong communication, and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 20866 - 22987 € per year.
We are seeking to appoint a dedicated, organised, and compassionate Admin of Attendance and safeguarding officer to join our specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) school. This is a vital role supporting vulnerable young people and their families to improve attendance, wellbeing, and engagement with education. The successful candidate will play a key role in promoting high levels of attendance, supporting safeguarding procedures, and working closely with students, families, staff, and external agencies to ensure pupils are safe, supported, and able to achieve their full potential.
Key Responsibilities:
- Monitor, track, and promote student attendance and punctuality
- Follow up daily absences and work proactively with families to improve attendance
- Maintain accurate attendance and safeguarding records
- Support the school’s safeguarding systems and procedures in line with statutory guidance
- Liaise with external agencies, local authorities, and parents/carers
- Provide pastoral support to students and families where appropriate
- Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and wider pastoral team
- Contribute to safeguarding meetings, referrals, and documentation
The Ideal Candidate Will:
- Have experience working in attendance, safeguarding, pastoral, or welfare roles within education or children’s services
- Have a good understanding of safeguarding legislation and attendance procedures
- Be able to build positive and professional relationships with students and families
- Demonstrate strong communication, organisational, and record-keeping skills
- Be calm, resilient, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Have experience supporting vulnerable or hard-to-reach young people, ideally within an SEMH setting
At Portland School, we are dedicated to providing exceptional learning and experiences to pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMHD). Our mission is to empower young minds and nurture futures, ensuring that every student reaches their full potential. We are a split site school with two provisions to meet different needs, one at Trent Vale and one at Blythe Bridge. We have an amazing staff team who work tirelessly to support approximately 140 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. As a specialist school, our pupils benefit from smaller class sizes, a more practical curriculum, access to alternative accreditations and a highly trained staff team. Both sites have spacious grounds allowing us to provide outdoor education, with our Blythe Bridge site boasting specialist classrooms for Design and technology, Art and Design, Science, Food technology and PE.
At the heart of our school are a set of shared values where our entire school community are supported to develop a sense of Respect, Responsibility, Belonging, Independence, show a Team Approach and look after their own Mental Toughness. At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful. Our values — opportunity, integrity, community, and equity — guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.
We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference. You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.
If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team. Together, let’s make the remarkable happen. We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary. Our Special Schools are dedicated to supporting children and young people with a broad spectrum of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. From those with profound medical conditions and life-limiting illnesses, to individuals with severe, moderate, or sensory needs, and those experiencing social, emotional, or mental health challenges, our settings are designed to provide the care, understanding, and expertise each young person needs to thrive.
Whether you're a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional, or part of our facilities, administration, or operations teams, you will find a welcoming, family-like environment where every role is valued. At the heart of each school is a shared commitment to putting children, young people, and their families first. Each pupil receives a personalised education and learns in small groups or classes, supported by dedicated staff who tailor their approach to meet individual needs. Working in our Special Schools is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of a compassionate team that empowers children and young people to live their best life and build a bright future. The difference you make will be life-changing, not only for them but for their families too.
Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
- An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
- Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
- Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
- Free Discount For Teachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
- Free Eye Tests
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.
We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one. Colleagues within the Trust benefit from:
- Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Career Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.
- Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
- Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
- Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
- Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
- Participating in peer reviews.
- Access to a suite of online courses.
- Placement projects within our family of schools.
Actual Salary: £20,866-£22,987
Working hours: 32.5 hours per week
Admin of Attendance and safeguarding officer in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Portland School
At Shaw Education Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the growth and wellbeing of our staff. Our collaborative work culture fosters a sense of community, where every voice is valued, and opportunities for professional development abound through high-quality training and support. Located in a nurturing environment, our specialist SEMH school empowers you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable young people, all while enjoying generous benefits such as a robust pension scheme and ample holiday entitlement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Admin of Attendance and safeguarding officer in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those who work with SEMH students. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn more about the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its values. Understand their approach to safeguarding and attendance, and think of examples from your experience that align with their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion during interviews! Talk about why you want to support vulnerable young people and how you can contribute to their wellbeing and engagement with education.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team at Shaw Education Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Admin of Attendance and safeguarding officer in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Admin of Attendance and Safeguarding Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Compassion:Since this role involves supporting vulnerable young people, it's essential to convey your compassion and understanding in your application. Share examples of how you've positively impacted students or families in similar situations.
Be Organised and Clear:Your written application should be well-structured and easy to read. Use clear headings and bullet points where necessary to make it straightforward for us to see your qualifications and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application is received promptly and allows us to keep track of all candidates efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portland School
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of the Admin of Attendance and Safeguarding Officer role. Familiarise yourself with safeguarding legislation and attendance procedures, as well as the specific needs of SEMH students. This will show that you're not just interested in the job, but that you’re genuinely prepared to support vulnerable young people.
✨Show Your Compassion
In this role, compassion is key. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences where you've supported students or families, especially those who are hard to reach. Highlight how you built positive relationships and made a difference in their lives. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with the community you'll be serving.
✨Be Organised and Proactive
The role requires strong organisational skills, so come prepared with a plan on how you would monitor and track student attendance. Discuss any systems or methods you’ve used in the past to keep accurate records and follow up on absences. Showing that you can take initiative will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the school's approach to supporting students' mental health or how they collaborate with external agencies. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to the school’s mission of empowering young minds.
