About this role
Organisation: North and West Yorkshire Special Partnership (NWYSP)
Position: Regional Attendance Mentor
Grade / Scale: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA - SO1 SCP 23-25)
Contract Type: 12-Month Fixed-Term
Responsible To: Attendance Lead (with daily operational reporting to Academy SLT Attendance Leads)
Location: Cross-regional deployment across NWYSP academies (including Springwell Leeds and Springwell Harrogate)
About the Role
Are you a compassionate, trauma-informed practitioner committed to breaking down barriers to education?
We are seeking a dedicated Regional Attendance Mentor to join the North and West Yorkshire Special Partnership (NWYSP).
In this vital role, you will deliver high-challenge, high-support, relational interventions to reconnect pupils experiencing Persistent Absence (PA), Severe Absence (SA — below 50%), and those not in full-time education back into substantive educational provision. Operating with an unconditional positive regard for young people, you will apply neuro-inclusive principles to help pupils regulate, re-engage, and thrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Targeted Reconnection & Reintegration: Deliver evidence-based, relationship-first approaches to engage pupils and families, formulating bespoke reintegration plans
- Relational & Neuro-Inclusive Practice: Support emotional and sensory regulation, manage cognitive load, and adapt strategies to address neurodiversity, sensory needs, and mental health barriers.
- Parent & Family Partnership: Build non-judgemental, empowering relationships with parents and carers through home visits, targeted workshops, and multi-agency case conferences.
- Commissioning & Pathway Oversight: Identify off-site educational activities, vocational/therapeutic programmes, and bespoke Alternative Provision (AP) while ensuring robust daily safeguarding and due diligence checks.
- Safeguarding: Uphold statutory requirements under Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and DfE guidance, conducting rapid welfare checks and identifying early signs of risk.
- Data Analytics & Reporting: Track and analyse attendance data to compile impact reports for the Executive Principal and Federated Governing Board while maintaining strict UK GDPR compliance.
- Capacity Building: Deliver briefings and professional development to academy staff on neuro-inclusive attendance strategies.
Essential Criteria
- Qualifications: Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (including English and Maths).
- Experience: Proven track record of working successfully with highly vulnerable, disengaged, or dysregulated children and young people (e.g., in SEMH, PRU, or Special School contexts).
- Family Engagement: Extensive experience supporting parents/carers in a non-judgemental manner.
- Knowledge: Deep understanding of emotional, sensory, and cognitive barriers to attendance; solid working knowledge of DfE attendance frameworks and KCSIE statutory requirements.
- Skills & Attributes: Exceptional interpersonal, dynamic de-escalation, and trauma-informed skills. Strong resilience, solution-focused attitude, and ability to work autonomously.
- Mobility & Clearances: Full, valid UK driving licence with access to a personal vehicle covered by business insurance (willingness to transport pupils across the region). Enhanced DBS clearance with Children's Barred List check. Wellspring Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. All posts are offered subject to enhanced DBS checks. References will be taken up and an online search carried out for shortlisted candidates, prior to attendance interview. We are committed to equal opportunities and to promoting diversity. We want our people to reflect the diversity of our communities, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from under-represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you are currently living overseas or have lived / worked overseas in the last five years please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in, if you are the preferred candidate for the post.