Parental support and attendance officer

Role Overview:

• Employer: PRISM Youth Project (Independent school for ages 11-19 with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health issues and Mild Learning Disabilities)
• Salary: Band 6 Scale 6-11 - £25,183 - £27,269
• Hours: Full Time (37 hours per week)

Job Purpose:

The Parental Support Worker will provide targeted assistance to parents and caregivers of pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. The primary role is to help families understand and support their child’s needs, improve school attendance, guide them through obtaining an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), and foster collaboration between home and school. The aim is to empower parents with the knowledge and tools needed to ensure their child’s success in education.

 Key Responsibilities:

 1.    Attendance Support:

o   Work closely with parents to identify barriers affecting their child’s school attendance (e.g., anxiety, behavioural issues, or family challenges).

o   Develop and implement strategies to improve attendance, including regular check-ins, providing resources, and offering practical advice on encouraging attendance.

o   Liaise with school attendance officers and other relevant agencies to address any systemic issues impacting the child’s ability to attend school regularly.

2.    Support for Understanding SEMH Diagnoses:

o   Provide parents with clear, accessible information about their child’s SEMH diagnosis, explaining how it may impact their behaviour, learning, and social interactions.

o   Signpost parents to relevant resources, workshops, and support groups to help them better understand and manage their child’s needs at home.

o   Offer emotional support and guidance to parents as they navigate the challenges of raising a child with SEMH difficulties.

3.    Guidance Through the EHCP Process:

o   Assist parents in understanding the EHCP process, from initial assessment to application, approval, and annual reviews.

o   Work closely with local authorities, healthcare providers, and educational staff to ensure parents are fully informed and engaged at every stage.

o   Help parents gather the necessary evidence, complete forms, and prepare for EHCP meetings, advocating when necessary.

4.    Parenting Strategies and Behavioural Support:

o   Provide practical guidance on managing challenging behaviours at home, including techniques for promoting positive behaviour, setting boundaries, and dealing with conflict.

o   Offer workshops or one-on-one sessions focused on parenting skills tailored to the needs of families dealing with SEMH-related issues.

o   Ensure consistency between home and school strategies to promote a unified approach to behaviour management.

5.    Home-School Collaboration:

o   Foster solid and positive relationships between parents and school staff, ensuring open lines of communication about the child’s progress, challenges, and successes.

o   Attend school meetings (e.g., parent-teacher conferences, EHCP reviews) to offer support and ensure that parents’ voices are heard in discussions about their child’s education.

6.    Access to External Services and Support:

o   Signpost parents to additional support services such as mental health counselling, social care, or respite services, and help them navigate any applications or referrals.

o   Stay updated with local and national services that can further assist families, including financial support or respite care.

7.    Emotional and Practical Support:

o   Provide parents with a safe space to discuss their concerns, offering emotional support and encouragement in navigating the challenges of parenting a child with SEMH needs.

o   Help families develop coping mechanisms and resilience, especially during particularly stressful times such as diagnoses, EHCP applications, or periods of school refusal.

8.    Monitoring and Reporting:

o   Keep detailed records of the support provided to each family, tracking progress and any ongoing challenges.

o   Report regularly to school leadership on the outcomes of interventions and the overall well-being of the families being supported.

Qualifications and Skills:

·        Essential:

o   Relevant qualification in social work, family support, education, or a related field (e.g., NVQ Level 3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning, Family Support Work certification).

o   Experience working with families of children with SEMH needs or related special educational needs (SEN).

o   Strong knowledge of the EHCP process and understanding of the legal framework around special educational needs.

o   Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex processes and diagnoses to parents in a clear, supportive manner.

o   Ability to build trust and rapport with parents, offering practical and emotional support.

o   Knowledge of strategies to improve school attendance and behaviour management in children with SEMH difficulties.

·        Desirable:

o   Experience working within an educational setting or in partnership with schools.

o   Knowledge of local services and agencies that support families with children with SEMH and SEN.

o   Training in safeguarding and child protection.

The rationale for the Role:

Supporting parents of children with SEMH needs is crucial to ensuring that the child’s education and well-being are fully supported both at home and in school. Parents often face overwhelming challenges in understanding diagnoses, managing complex behaviours, and navigating the EHCP process. Without proper guidance, these barriers can lead to low attendance, exclusion, or disengagement from education.

The Parental Support Worker addresses these challenges by:

1.    Improving Parental Understanding:

2.    Guiding Through Complex Processes:

3.    Boosting School Attendance:

4.    Building Resilience and Reducing Isolation:

In summary, the Parental Support Worker is critical to bridging the gap between school and home, ensuring parents have the resources, understanding, and confidence to support their child’s SEMH needs effectively.