Temporary Education Welfare Officer (Term Time)
Company Description
The Education Welfare Service is eager to appoint an enthusiastic individual to join the team to support individuals in overcoming school absenteeism and reaching their full potential. The role targets those identified as having low school attendance and at risk of disengagement with their education. The post holder will receive a caseload and work within the Meirion/Dwyfor area. This is a temporary post until 31/07/27.
For further information contact Tammi Jones, Senior Welfare Officer, ALN&I Service at 07971 528 099. Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package. For more information, please click on the Information Pack. Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.
Purpose of the post
* To ensure that the children and young people of Gwynedd and Anglesey are central to everything we do.
* To contribute towards improving the attendance of pupils at Gwynedd and Anglesey schools.
* To implement legal processes in relation to:
o Fixed Penalty Notices (Education).
o Preparing cases for prosecution in the courts.
o Education Supervision Orders.
o School Attendance Orders.
* To assist with the process associated with child employment matters.
Responsibility for functions
Provide and maintain necessary equipment.
* Laptop
* Mobile phone
Main duties
* Attendance
o Collaborate with schools to monitor attendance, and act appropriately following referrals.
o Prepare and implement strategies to reduce absences.
o Prepare and submit cases to the Court when parents are prosecuted (Education Act 1996).
o Ensure that the procedure of issuing Fixed Penalty Notices follows national guidelines.
o Administrate Education Supervision Orders in accordance with the Children Act 1989.
o Prepare reports on attendance and truancy every term for Schools and Governing Bodies.
* Child Protection
o Act in accordance with the All Wales Child Protection Guidelines.
o Represent the Education Authority on relevant inter‑agency committees.
o Represent the Education Authority in strategy meetings and produce written reports.
o Act as a contact point for the field, offer guidance to the school, conduct Level 1 and 2 training for teachers, teaching assistants, and governors.
* Assessment Processes of the Education Act 1996 (Special Educational Needs)
o Provide evidence for schools and the Education Authority.
* Exclusions
o Be involved with the preventative strategy in the field.
o Provide reports for the Governing Body.
o Ensure that permanently excluded pupils receive education within the national timeframe.
* Child Employment
o Ensure compliance with the by‑laws.
o Raise awareness among employers and prosecute those employing children contrary to the by‑laws.
o Process child employment applications.
o Visit employers to ensure work locations are suitable.
o Conduct risk assessments for Year 10 work experience placements where appropriate.
* Elective Home Education
o Inform Head of Schools Service about families seeking home education.
o Visit homes to monitor situations when requested.
* General Welfare Matters – Bullying, Drugs and Crime Prevention
o Consult with other agencies and provide advice.
o Produce and introduce up‑to‑date resources to educate children, parents, and schools.
o Contribute to welfare promotion activities.
* Connections with Other Agencies
o Establish and maintain links with other agencies (Social Services, Health Services, Police, etc.).
o Respond appropriately to information requests regarding pupils.
* Enforcement
o Administrate Fixed Penalty Notice process and act when penalties are unpaid.
o Advise school managers on enforcement issues.
o Maintain detailed case records and statistical data.
* Providing Advice
o Contact point for advice to the school.
o Contact point for parents and pupils.
* Access/Transport
o Advise the Transportation Department on welfare aspects.
* Home Visits
o Visit pupils’ homes to improve attendance and address welfare concerns.
o Ensure strong connection between school and home.
* General
o Self‑development responsibility.
o Ensure compliance with Health & Safety rules and policies.
o Operate within equal opportunities policies.
o Manage information in accordance with data protection legislation.
o Commitment to reducing the council’s carbon emissions.
o Undertake any other reasonable duty, respond to requests from the Head of Education Service.
o Report any concern that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Personal attributes Essential
* Communicate effectively orally and in written form.
* Energetic with flexibility and high expectations.
* Strong interpersonal skills.
* Relate well with children and young people, protecting their rights.
* Desire to develop professionally.
* Prioritise work, show initiative, meet deadlines.
* Work under pressure, as part of a team.
* Mix well with people in a confident, measured, polite manner.
* Flexible attitude, able to work independently.
Qualifications and relevant training Essential
* Degree or equivalent qualification.
* Evidence of continuous professional development.
* Good language and presentation skills.
Relevant experience Essential
* Experience working in the education field.
* Experience creating reports and analysing information.
* Experience working in partnership with other agencies.
* Ensuring appropriate behaviour.
* Collaborating as a team member.
Skills and specialist knowledge Essential
* Knowledge of safeguarding and the main issues in the field.
* Understanding of Welsh Government priorities.
* Knowledge of ALN&I legislation and Code of Practice.
* Understanding of Person‑centred methods.
* Understanding of Individual Development Plans.
* Energetic, able to execute effective improvement strategies.
* Awareness of the Gwynedd and Anglesey ALN&I Strategy.
Language requirements Listening and Speaking - Higher
Able to follow conversations in Welsh and English, discuss day‑to‑day topics, give prepared presentations, and respond to comments in both languages.
Reading and Understanding - Higher
Able to understand standard written Welsh and English, gather information from various sources, and fulfil the post requirements.
Writing - Higher
Present written information confidently with detailed, technical reports, and respond to written requests in Welsh and English.
#J-18808-Ljbffr