Education Welfare Officer

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At Harris Girls Academy Bromley, we have built a school community where we hold character and academic excellence in equally high regard.

Progress 8 for the school was in the top 100 in the country last year, and we were the only school from this group with a student body that has above average disadvantage and below average EAL. Learning, curriculum, and pedagogy is exemplary here. Although we believe that these results lead to a tangible improvement in the opportunities of our young people, we are equally proud of the way we see our students conduct themselves in our classrooms and corridors on a day-to-day basis. In the commitment they demonstrate in the library and the drama studio, or in the resilience they demonstrate in the sports hall and the textiles room, it is a privilege to teach students at Bromley.

We believe that we have built something special here through a leadership at all levels philosophy of constant improvement, and listening to our students, staff, and wider community. Leadership at HGABR means constantly reviewing and reinventing our approach, as we respond to the new opportunities and challenges our young people present and seek to improve the education they receive. Leadership at HGABR considers that the academy exists as an important community organization that impacts a significant number of lives, and we believe that stewarding this organization is a responsibility that requires dedication and excellence from us.

Main Areas of Responsibility

In this rewarding and varied role, you will:

• Oversee educational welfare across the academy.
• Manage a caseload of ‘at risk’ students where attendance falls below 85%, and implement strategies to improve attendance.
• Have responsibility for monitoring the attendance of the most vulnerable students at the academy, including Looked After students, those on the child protection register, and children identified as being in need.
• Manage the process of addressing poor attendance across the academy.
• Represent the academy at external meetings e.g. Social Services Case Conferences, Child in Need Meetings, LAC Reviews.
• Liaise with the Academy Leadership Group to address any attendance or welfare concerns.
• Assist with the smooth running of the student information centre (SIC), ensuring support for students has a positive impact on raising achievement.
• Communicate effectively with all external agencies, including possible alternative providers.
• Ensure effective and appropriate communication/consultation with parents through phone, letter, and home visits as relevant.
• Liaise with the local authority when cases of poor attendance reach the level of legal intervention, managing the process of evidence sharing and representing the academy at court where necessary.
• Prepare reports and maintain records relating to student referrals and subsequent counselling or support.

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• An undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
• Knowledge of behaviour for learning policies.
• Knowledge of the range of barriers to learning that students face.
• Training in child protection and safeguarding procedures.
• Basic knowledge of first aid (e.g. emergency first aid course).
• Three years’ experience of working in an inner-city school or educational establishment in a pastoral capacity.
• Experience of dealing successfully with a range of issues influencing poor attendance.
• Experience of working with staff to ensure excellent standards of attendance and punctuality are maintained.
• Experience of working with families.
• Experience of working with challenging students and parents, and finding ways in which we can meet their needs more successfully.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

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