At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families to improve school attendance and engagement with education.
- Company: Wigan Council, dedicated to making a difference in local communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and exclusive rewards.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to improving outcomes for young people.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives and help them achieve their potential.
- Qualifications: Experience working with children and families, strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 26801 - 29574 £ per year.
Priority Candidates will be considered in the first instance.
Salary: Grade 6, £26,801 - £29,574 per annum. 37 hours per week, term time plus two weeks working 40 weeks per year.
We're on a journey to build a workforce reflective of our Borough. We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!
Your role: This is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated team committed to improving outcomes for children and young people across the borough. You will work directly with children, families and schools to address barriers to regular school attendance, supporting positive engagement with education and helping pupils achieve their full potential. Operating within the principles of Working Together to Improve School Attendance, you will manage attendance-focused casework, coordinate support plans and work collaboratively with partner agencies. Where attendance fails to improve despite appropriate intervention, you will progress cases through the statutory attendance framework, including consideration of legal enforcement, while maintaining a child-centred and outcome-focused approach.
About you: You will be a resilient, self‑motivated and highly organised practitioner with experience of working effectively with children, young people and families to improve outcomes. You will be confident in building positive relationships while providing appropriate challenge to families, schools and professionals where attendance concerns require escalation. A sound understanding of current attendance legislation, safeguarding responsibilities and wider children's services processes is essential. You will be able to manage competing priorities, make informed decisions and maintain accurate records, while remaining focused on achieving sustainable improvements in school attendance through both supportive and statutory interventions where required.
About us: The Attendance Team sits within the Inclusion Service and plays a key role in ensuring that children and young people across the borough can access their right to education. We are a supportive, ambitious and collaborative team, committed to improving attendance through a balanced approach of early intervention, targeted support and, where necessary, statutory action. Working closely with schools, families and partner agencies, we help remove barriers to education while promoting high expectations for attendance. Our work is underpinned by the principles of Working Together to Improve School Attendance, a strong safeguarding ethos, and a shared commitment to securing positive outcomes for children and young people.
The Progress with Unity plan is a place movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough. It draws on the strengths of our individual organisations, recognising that together we can achieve much more for our communities by delivering on our 2 place missions; create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them.
Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do. This may include working from home, the office, or the community. We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits to find out more about working for #TeamWigan.
To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK, and you must maintain a valid (active) right to work. Please note, at present we are not a licensed sponsor.
Wigan Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. As part of this commitment, Wigan Council operates robust Safer Recruitment procedures.
We recognise that on occasion candidates may use AI tools. Please read our applying authentically section below before submitting your application.
For further information, and informal enquiries in relation to the role contact Nathan Jones, School Attendance Lead via email Nathan.Jones@wigan.gov.uk.
Interview dates: Priority Candidates Tuesday 1st December 2026, All Other Candidates Friday 4th December 2026.
This Role Is Subject To An Enhanced DBS Plus Child Barred List Check.
Attendance Officer in Wigan employer: Wigan Council
Wigan's Duty and Assessment Service is an exceptional employer, offering social workers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work culture. With a focus on professional growth, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to high-quality practice, employees are empowered to build strong relationships with children and families, ensuring positive outcomes. Join us in a service that values kindness, reflection, and collaboration, where your contributions are recognised and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Attendance Officer in Wigan
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Wigan Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Wigan Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Wigan Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Wigan Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Attendance Officer in Wigan
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Wigan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Wigan Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wigan Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
