At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children with autism, ensuring attendance and engagement in school activities.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Thomas Bewick School, part of Prosper Learning Trust.
- Benefits: Enjoy career development, wellbeing support, and a friendly work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of autistic children and their families.
- Qualifications: Level 4 qualification in education/social care/health and experience with SEND.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and a chance to work across multiple sites.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Thomas Bewick SchoolLinhope RoadWest DentonNewcastle Upon TyneTyne and WearNE5 2LW
Are you looking for an exciting new role to support pupils and families?
Thomas Bewick School is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated Family Liaison Officer to join the team. As Family Liaison Officer you will, under the direction of senior leaders and alongside admin staff, follow daily attendance procedures in school and collate attendance data. Some key aspects of the role include supporting parents in encouraging their children to maintain full and regular attendance and punctuality alongside external agencies where necessary. You will be required to cover duties in school across the school day supporting children as required, as well as being involved in organising and attending school events when parents are invited.
This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:
- Level 4 qualification in education/ social care/ health
- Experience of working with and supporting pupils with SEND and their family
As a valued member of our team, you will:
- Build positive relationships with children and families
- Develop parental engagement with the school and other key outside agencies
- Support parents and work with families, school staff and other support agencies to overcome any potential barriers, working in partnership to set clear and measurable targets to enable engagement and progress where necessary
You will have good written and oral communication skills and be able to manage competing priorities and work under pressure, as well as being required to understand and follow safeguarding procedures and to keep appropriate and confidential written records. You will oversee a caseload of pupils who have multi‑agency involvement e.g. Children’s Social Care, Health, Attendance as well as supporting senior leaders to manage a caseload of pupils who have a higher level of multi‑agency involvement e.g. Child protection / Children in Care.
A strong working knowledge of autism / SEND and experience working in a specialist school would be beneficial.
About the School
Thomas Bewick School is a specialist provision for autistic children and young people. We cater for children and young people aged 3‑19 years with a range of abilities and differences associated with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and all of our pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The school is arranged over four different sites: Sites 1 and 2 are based in West Denton, we also have 2 satellite sites based in Denton Burn and Kenton (site 3 and site 4). Our relevant, exciting and challenging curriculum is taught and supported by a team of caring, friendly and dedicated staff who are trained in a range of ASC specific approaches and strategies. All of our pupils have access to an autism specific environment with a range of specialist facilities and activities available to support different aspects of their learning and development.
About the Trust
Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 to help vulnerable young people succeed against the odds. Four core values underpin everything we do as a Trust, these are Aspiration, Integrity, Resilience and Kindness. We are looking for staff who share those values and want to support our young people. The Trust currently has 5 schools in the region:
- Newcastle Bridges School – Alternative Provision academy offering education to pupils unable to access mainstream school due to medical needs including hospitalised children and young people (3‑19 years)
- Mary Astell Academy – Alternative Provision academy offering education to permanently excluded pupils and pupils who are struggling in mainstream school (11‑16 years)
- Thomas Bewick Special School – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (3‑19 years)
- Harry Watts Academy – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (5‑16 years)
- Gilbert Ward Academy – Special School academy for pupils with SEMH or a diagnosis of autism (11‑16 years)
Prosper Learning Trust was also recently named as the lead partner in the opening of a new Free School in Jarrow, South Tyneside. This school will be a Special School academy for pupils with SEMH (4‑11 years).
The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Thomas Bewick School but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.
Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust
The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:
- A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another
- Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust\’s Wellbeing Network Group
- Access to either Teacher\’s Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates.
- Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace
- Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)
- Bike 2 Work scheme
For more information on why we think you should work for us see our Trust website, where you will also find videos of what our current staff think.
If this sounds like the role for you, please apply using the link below:
https://recruit.sampeople.co.uk/Jobboard/Vacancy/Details?campaignref=SCH-PLT-0168
Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre‑employment medical questionnaire.
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Family Liaison Officer employer: Prosper Learning Trust
Contact Detail:
Prosper Learning Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Liaison Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values! Research Thomas Bewick School and Prosper Learning Trust to understand their mission and how you can contribute. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn or at local education events. Building relationships can give you insider info about the school culture and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about scenarios where you've supported families or worked with SEND pupils. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Prosper Learning Trust!
We think you need these skills to ace Family Liaison Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Family Liaison Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission at Thomas Bewick School!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for working with autistic children and their families shine through in your written application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in our students' lives!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Prosper Learning Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Family Liaison Officer and the specific needs of autistic children and their families. Brush up on your knowledge of SEND and autism, as well as the responsibilities outlined in the job description. This will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves building relationships with families and external agencies, be ready to demonstrate your communication skills. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with parents or collaborated with other professionals. Use these stories to highlight your ability to connect and support.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific situations, like supporting a family facing challenges or managing attendance issues. Prepare some scenarios in advance, focusing on your problem-solving skills and how you would set measurable targets for engagement and progress.
✨Understand Safeguarding Procedures
Familiarise yourself with safeguarding protocols, as this is crucial in the role. Be ready to discuss how you would maintain confidentiality and ensure the safety of the children and families you work with. Showing that you take safeguarding seriously will make a strong impression.