Attendance Complex Case Officer in Warrington

This is an exciting opportunity to join Warrington Borough Council as part of our School Attendance Service. We are a close, supportive team providing a flexible, responsive service to our schools. We work collaboratively, value one another's input and we create a friendly positive environment. This is a rewarding role for someone who is committed to improving outcomes for children, reducing barriers to learning and helping families access the right support at the right time.

The role

As a Complex Case Attendance Officer within the attendance team, you will work directly with children and families facing complex barriers to school attendance, providing practical, compassionate and solution focussed support. Working in partnership with schools and other agencies, you will help identify barriers, develop support plans and build positive relationships that enable children and young people to engage successfully in education.

The role places a strong emphasis on early intervention and support rather than enforcement. You will work collaboratively with the team and schools where pupils are accessing part-time timetables to promote a planned return to full time education wherever possible.

What's needed?

You will have exceptional administrative skills, a proven track record of providing good customer service and be able to communicate effectively, while also being able to work sensitively and appropriately with a wide range of people and stakeholders. Most importantly you will be working directly with children and their families. Your ability to manage your own diary and caseload is essential. You will be liaising with Head Teachers, senior leaders, social workers and other professionals and experience of working in a school or supporting schools would be beneficial to this role.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent interpersonal skills - comfortable providing support and challenge as appropriate.
• Experience of working with school staff, families and young people.
• An understanding of the barriers to attending school, particularly Emotionally Based School Avoidance, and the strategies used to support schools, children and families to improve attendance.
• An understanding of education law and the statutory measures that you will be required to undertake if necessary.
• An understanding of the guidance for schools regarding the use of part-time timetables and suspensions.
• Experience of working with agencies that can support children who are not attending school to ensure appropriate interventions are in place.

As well as a competitive salary, working for us means you get:

• Access to our attractive and competitive benefits package
• Access to our Health & Wellbeing Programme

Please note, the advertised salary is the all-year-round Grade 7 salary range. As the job is term time only + 2 weeks that salary will be reduced by approximately 12%.

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

DBS clearance is required.

In accordance withHome Office guidance, successful candidates mustevidencetheir right to work in the UK before commencement ofemployment. Sponsorship isnotavailable for this role; therefore, you must have the right to work in the UK to be eligible for appointment.

Warrington Borough Council is a Disability Confident employer