Education Welfare Officer
Location: London Road, SM4 5DX
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 3+ Months
Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00, 37 Hours per week
Pay Rate: £17.85 per hour
Job Ref:
Job Responsibilities
* Manage a caseload of allocated schools and individual referrals.
* Provide support to children aged 4-16 attending Merton Schools and those not registered at any school within the London Borough of Merton.
* Act as the Education Navigator within the Children and Families Hub on a rota basis, contributing to risk assessment and decision-making processes.
* Provide advice and guidance on attendance laws, absence management, and pupil registration.
* Develop and implement strategies to maintain and improve school attendance and reduce absence.
* Build effective relationships with school staff, parents/carers, and pupils to promote school attendance.
* Ensure parents/carers understand their rights and responsibilities regarding their children's education.
* Conduct ongoing assessments of need and take action as directed by the EWS Manager.
* Ensure children and young people's views are considered and responded to.
* Locate children missing from education and share information to protect the child.
* Contribute to policy development to encourage and ensure access to education.
* Support parents with referrals for parenting support and other necessary interventions.
* Advise and support parents/carers of pupils with special educational needs regarding school attendance and social inclusion.
* Understand the rights and responsibilities of Traveller families concerning education.
* Stay informed on legislative changes and best practices within the area of responsibility.
* Support designated school staff regarding child protection procedures and report concerns appropriately.
* Make timely referrals to Social Care and other agencies to promote child welfare.
* Prepare reports and attend case conferences, reviews, and other meetings as required.
* Work with schools to identify cases for Penalty Notices and prepare court paperwork for prosecutions.
* Appear in Court on behalf of the LA as required.
* Supervise Parenting Orders and prepare evidence for breaches.
* Enforce legislation on child employment and children in entertainment.
* Utilize information and communication technology systems effectively.
* Maintain records and produce reports on performance indicators.
* Provide training on electronic registration systems and attendance issues.
* Adhere to data protection procedures and council policies.
* Represent the service in professional meetings and networks.
* Ensure confidentiality and comply with Caldicott.
* Participate in supervision, appraisal processes, and training.
Person Specifications
* Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
* Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work to meet deadlines.
* Proficient in using I.C.T. for areas of responsibility.
* Knowledge of relevant statutes and court procedures.
* Understanding of the authority of an education welfare officer.
* Ability to record, collate, and interpret statistics.
* Aptitude for establishing good relationships between pupils, parents, and schools.
* Awareness of the needs of children, parents/guardians, schools, and the community.
* Knowledge of child protection issues and effective delivery of information.
* Knowledge of child employment, children in entertainment, and home education.
* Experience in leading professional meetings and completing assessments.
* Education to GCSE standard or equivalent, including English and mathematics.
* Relevant qualifications such as NVQ in Education Welfare, DipSW, CQSW, or a related degree.
* Previous experience in a child-focused organization and multi-professional environment.
* Experience in liaising between agencies and providing advice and guidance.
* Understanding of issues affecting school attendance and differences by gender and ethnicity.
* Experience in a multi-agency team with safeguarding responsibilities.
* Ability to travel within the borough and visit schools and family homes.
* Commitment to the council's policies on equal opportunities and customer care.
* Flexibility to attend meetings outside normal office hours.
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Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 3 months
Pay: £17.85 per hour
Expected hours: 37 per week
Experience:
* Education Welfare Officer: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person