About this role
Accountable to: Headteacher
Purpose of Job:
This post is an additional school-based staff member whose job it is to support children and their families in order to provide early help support and reduce barriers to learning. These barriers to learning may be a result of something happening within the school or externally. The Family Liaison Officer will work alongside teaching staff and existing pastoral systems to provide an extra layer of support for pupils.
Duties and Responsibilities:
To undertake the following duties with minimal supervision, demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the work areas and a degree of independence of action and initiative.
Key tasks to provide early help support to families:
To build effective relationships with pupils and families - e.g. welcoming families at the school gate, greeting families at parents' evenings, supporting with school trips, offering informal coffee mornings for families etc.
To act as a point of contact in school for families in need of supportTo engage with vulnerable families in order to formulate a package of support
To maintain regular contact with families of children receiving support to encourage positive family involvement in the child’s learning
To maintain record keeping in accordance with the policies and procedures in place in school, including case studiesTo signpost families and refer for support when appropriate
To liaise professionally with external agencies
To provide in-school support for families where attendance is a concern
To work as part of the school's attendance team, attending regular meetings, helping to promote good attendance, supporting families with attendance through regular contact such as phone calls and home visits
To establish good working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high expectations
To provide consistent support to all pupils, responding appropriately to individual pupil needs
To assist with the development and implementation of positive intervention plans in conjunction with the school's SENDCo
To promote positive behaviour throughout the school, using Step On deescalation strategies and Step Up training as required
To coordinate nurture sessions with the nurture practitioners and SENDCo to support pupils effectively
To promote pupils' self-esteem and independence, employing strategies to recognise and reward achievement within established school procedure
To be available to support pupils during lunchtime to help them in resolving conflicts and developing personal, social and emotional skills
To provide transition support for new pupils arriving mid-year or vulnerable pupils
To work collaboratively alongside the existing Designated Safeguarding Lead team in schoolTo manage and implement the school’s child protection policy
To have a secure awareness of current safeguarding priorities including contextual issues
To deliver in-house CP training
To raise the awareness of both teaching, support staff, and any other members of staff and school governors, of the need for effective safeguarding procedures in school, particularly in the area of child protection and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse
To manage an effective whole school system (CPOMS) that will monitor the whole child under the safeguarding umbrella
To emphasise the need for good levels of communication between all staff
To promote understanding and build relationships with other agencies in order to work together more effectivelyTo work with the PSHE lead to promote children’s personal, social and health development in ways which foster security, confidence and independence and to work with the Computing lead to promote e-safety
To develop a network of support which would be made known to staff or parents: - e.g. details of parent support groups; parent networks; relevant telephone numbersTo seek advice from and report cases to social care as necessary. To attend CP, CIN and any other relevant statutory meetings as a representative from the school. Ensure all necessary information is fed back appropriately to school staff.
To monitor the CP files and ensure they are kept up to dateTo attend training annually and keep up to date with changes in legislation
To manage early intervention where families may need support with parenting, bereavement, mental health, young carers etc. and liaise effectively with parents and childrenTo become a point of contact in school for both parents and children with any concerns under the safeguarding umbrella
To be a point of contact for staff, supporting their wellbeing and signposting to external agencies as required
To complete any other reasonable task as required by the Headteacher/SLT.
This job description will be reviewed annually and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder and Trustees. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of the Trust in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties.
The Great Learners Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
Note: The duties of the post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility.