Job purpose:

In the Children and Families Directorate we are passionate about making life better for children, young people, and families in Kirklees.

Improving school attendance is a key strand of our approach to improving educational attainment and inclusion and is a priority within Netherhall Learning Campus. The Attendance and Pupil Support Team will play a pivotal role in making this happen.

This role works in partnership with families, schools, and other agencies to support the campus in attaining and maintaining optimum levels of attendance. 

The prime focus of this role is to work across the three schools with children, young people and families to improve school attendance and access to educational provision and training through support for schools, children and families.  As an integral part of the team the Attendance and Pupil Support Officer works closely with a range of other agencies and services to ensure that vulnerable and at-risk children and young people access educational provision. 

Key areas of responsibility:

• You will be working across the three schools within the campus to support them in improving attendance and helping to maintain optimum levels of pupil attendance. This may include providing support in policy development, help in establishing systems and monitoring effectiveness.
• Working in partnership with families and other agencies you will help ensure that children and young people are able to access educational provision and achieve their potential.
• You will support young people who may have become disaffected with education for a variety of reasons. You will also support families experiencing difficulties which are affecting their child’s access to education.
• You will be expected to assess complex issues, plan interventions, and work collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes. You will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of your interventions.
• You will work closely with families, schools, and other agencies to provide a co-ordinated and planned service which achieves optimum outcomes, in line with Every Child Matters and the Kirklees Children & Young People’s Plan.
• You will use statutory powers, including issuing penalty notices, prosecution for non-attendance at school, and supervise court orders.
• Some children may become ‘missing’ from education, i.e., not on any school role or accessing other educational provision. You may be required to support and advocate for the child and family to ensure appropriate access to provision and assess the family’s wider needs where support from other agencies may be required.
• You may also be involved in other initiatives including truancy sweeps, group work projects and supporting schools in ensuring that the safeguarding of pupils is paramount.
• This section shows what you need to achieve to do the job well.
• Manage and prioritise an agreed caseload.
• Maintain case records, write reports, and manage confidential data relevant to the service and schools
• Ensure the quality standards of the service are upheld consistently.

Establish, maintain, and develop effective working relationships with families and young people to offer assistance and support.  This will include frequent home visiting.

• Establish, maintain, and develop effective working relationships with key school personnel and other relevant agencies. This may include attending multi-agency meetings held in schools.
• Promote good practice within schools in relation to the management of attendance
• Undertake statutory reviewing of school registers.
• Positively contribute to all meetings.
• Contribute to service and policy development and ensure new practices are embedded.
• Mentor and support in accordance with the values and ethos of the service, colleagues and those undertaking work/training placements within the service.
• Identify and carry out assessments of children and young people using the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and support/deliver plans as identified by the assessment, which may include acting as Lead Professional. You will support their implementation in schools and localities.
• Undertake assessments and deliver support plans in accordance with Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 where the risk of children and young people failing to access education is identified as a key issue.
• Provide advice and guidance to schools and co-operate with other agencies in safeguarding procedures for children and young people.
• Attend and contribute to child protection meetings, including case conferences and core groups, preparing reports where required.
• Ensure that consideration is given to the views of service users and key stakeholders in planning and delivery.
• Provide leadership within multi-agency meetings where appropriate, to promote desired outcomes.
• Initiate systems within schools in collaboration with key personnel to promote effective partnership.
• Maintain your own personal development in accordance with Kirklees Organisation and Workforce Development plans and in accordance with the needs of the service.
• Support colleagues and share information through effective team meetings and networks.
• Contribute to service and staff development as directed by the Service Manager.
• Contribute to the Team Improvement Plan.
• Interpret and analyse attendance data.

This Job Profile is intended to provide an understanding and appreciation of the responsibilities of this job.  It is not possible to specify every detail and we expect you to work flexibly within your skills, knowledge, experience, and grade of this job.

To apply: please complete the application form and return to admin@nlconline.org.uk before the closing date