Family Liaison & Attendance Worker

At Ascent Academies' Trust, we believe that every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, achieve and belong. Through our shared values of Togetherness & Belonging, Advocacy & Empowerment, and Excellence & Innovation, we are committed to creating exceptional learning environments where pupils, families and colleagues can flourish.

Founded in 2012, Ascent Academies' Trust is a family of six specialist academies across the North East. Working collaboratively across our Trust, we share expertise, champion innovation and celebrate the unique strengths of every individual. Our commitment to high-quality education has enabled all our academies to achieve at least a Good Ofsted judgement, with areas of Outstanding practice across the Trust.

As we continue our journey of growth and excellence, this is an exciting opportunity to join a Trust where we are stronger together, where everyone has a sense of belonging, and where we work relentlessly to remove barriers and create opportunities for young people with special educational needs.

Job Purpose

• To contribute to the academy’s early help and support for families.
• To work directly with parents and students to support engagement in academy life, including supporting access to early help services, attendance interventions and transitions in and out of the academy.
• To manage a case load of students, engaging in multi-agency meetings where appropriate.
• To work closely with the Academy Business Support staff regarding attendance recording, and the Local Authority educational welfare team and education health needs team.
• To work with parents/carers in a non-judgmental and empowering way, enabling families to get the most out of the educational and other opportunities available to them.
• To work in partnership with parents to identify the reasons for their children’s non-attendance and work with them and others to achieve regular attendance, improve family engagement and promote achievement and progress.
• To work in partnership with the Deputy Head Teacher (Pastoral) to implement strategies relating to attendance and monitor and report on attendance data.
• To act as a member of the Academy’s safeguarding team.

Why join Ascent Academies' Trust?

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people with SEND every day.
• A welcoming and inclusive Trust where colleagues are valued and supported to succeed.
• Access to high-quality professional development, training and career progression opportunities.
• A comprehensive induction programme and ongoing support.
• Opportunities to collaborate with highly skilled professionals across a range of specialist settings.
• Access to regional and national networks to enhance professional learning and practice.
• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing, work-life balance and employee support.
• The chance to work within multidisciplinary teams that share a common purpose and passion for improving outcomes.
• A culture that encourages innovation, continuous improvement and lifelong learning.

Application Guidance:

• Flexible Working: We believe that flexibility at work can promote a healthy work-life balance, increase motivation, and improve performance and productivity. Whilst this post is advertised as full-time, all year round, we recognise that there are many ways of working. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements wherever possible and welcome conversations about individual circumstances.
• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Applications.
• Supportive Leave of Absence Policy.
• Supportive Family Friendly Policy.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English (grade 4-9) or equivalent essential.

Skills Experience

• Demonstrates experience of promoting and supporting good school attendance for young people with SEND (essential).
• Is able to demonstrate the link between safeguarding and attendance (essential).
• Shows an understanding of factors that influence attendance (essential).
• Has a clear understanding of how working with people from other agencies impacts on attendance and well-being of young people (essential).
• Evidences how they would build positive and trusting relationships with families (essential).

Please note – if you are appointed, you will be subject to an online search. You will have the opportunity to address any issues of concern that come up during the search during your recruitment process. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people with Special Needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.