Attendance and Welfare Officer

Do you have experience overseeing attendance at a school level? We are looking for an Attendance and Welfare Officer to join our dedicated academy team at Harris Science Academy East London. This role is likely to suit an individual looking to develop in a school environment with attendance related experience.

About Us

We are a co-educational secondary academy and Sixth Form with a mission to provide children in this part of East London with a truly world-class education.

Our curriculum is stimulating and challenging and our teachers are, across the board, experts in their subjects. Our approach to pastoral care means every student feels safe and can learn, and our timetable is packed with trips, talks, clubs, and activities that make the most of our location close to the centre of London. Since September 2022, we have been part of the Harris Federation, a high-performing group of 52 primary and secondary academies in and around London. We are hugely excited to be leading our academy at this point in its journey and hope our website provides you with the information you need.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting ALG in the Management and Development of attendance and punctuality policies;
• Daily monitoring and follow-up of attendance and punctuality;
• To participate on late desk and follow up detentions to be issued for those students late to the Academy;
• To text parents/carers of students absent at agreed time and record reasons for absence if given;
• Daily monitoring and early calls on the attendance of children in care or students on the vulnerable list as a priority, reporting to the Academy Welfare manager daily;
• Making home visits with the Academy welfare manager as required;
• Sending letters to parents regarding attendance matters as requested by the Academy Welfare Manager
• Ensuring the smooth operation of the computerised registration system;
• Ensuring daily attendance information is entered accurately onto the system;
• Establishing the reason for absences including telephone calls, letters and home visits, in liaison with the tutors and other staff;
• Preparing and distributing attendance and punctuality certificates as part of the Academy's reward policy;
• Following up on poor attendance or punctuality. Organising attendance panel meetings with parent's/carers tutors and external agencies, making home visits, ensuring student contracts are agreed and monitored;
• Signing students in and out of the Academy outside normal start and finish times, ensuring communication with home where required;
• Liaising with the Educational Welfare Officer to ensure that prompt, consistent and rigorous intervention with poor attendance is robust;
• To monitor student attendance together with students' progress and performance in relation to targets set for each individual ensuring that follow-up procedures are adhered to and that appropriate action is taken where necessary;
• To deal efficiently and effectively with referrals on attendance concerns from faculties;
• To alert the appropriate staff to problems experienced by students and to make recommendations as to how these may be resolved;
• To communicate as appropriate, with the parents of students and with persons or bodies outside the Academy concerned with the welfare of individual students, after consultation with the appropriate staff;
• To attend all appropriate meetings and organise fortnightly meetings with Faculty Directors to review faculty attendance figures and action taken;
• As LAC mentor to meet with LAC students weekly and pass on any relevant information regarding their welfare.
• Referring cases where appropriate to the named person with responsibility for child protection.
• To be responsible for own professional development, identifying training needs and requesting courses as appropriate.
• To offer medical attention to students, maintaining the medical and accident book. To contact the emergency services as required.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree standard or equivalent
• Sound Knowledge of Microsoft software
• Knowledge of CMIS system for input and export of student attendance data
• Training on CMIS system in relation to attendance and report generation
• Knowledge of attendance policies and procedures
• Knowledge of the range of agencies that work with students and their families
• Basic knowledge of first aid; e.g. emergency first aid course
• Knowledge of a range of attendance codes and when they can be used
• Knowledge of many of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Experience

• 3 years' experience of working in an inner-city school or educational establishment
• Experience of working with Academy welfare officer
• Experience of meeting with parents/carers formally and informally
• Experience of managing attendance systems, this to include completing weekly, half termly and annual reports as requested in liaison with Assistant Principal
• Experience in a similar role
• Experience of working with young people
• Experience of working with young people with challenging behaviour

Professional Development & Benefits

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, and many other benefits. 

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.