Education and Welfare Support Officer

Are you passionate about supporting young people to overcome barriers and achieve their potential? We are seeking an Education and Welfare Support Officer to work closely with our pastoral team, safeguarding leads, and external agencies to provide guidance, mentoring, and practical support to students facing complex emotional or social challenges.

You will support vulnerable pupils, including those with SEMH needs, CLA, and those at risk, delivering one-to-one and small group interventions, liaising with families, and helping coordinate external support services. This role also involves contributing to attendance and welfare strategies, home visits, and safeguarding processes to ensure our students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with children and young people, strong interpersonal and analytical skills, knowledge of safeguarding legislation, and a commitment to inclusion and pastoral care. We are seeking a candidate who is experienced Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) with a strong background in trauma-informed practice and therapeutic interventions. The ideal candidate will have expertise in bereavement support, Lego Therapy, Sandplay, and Drawing & Talking, alongside a solid working knowledge of the ATTEND framework or be open to further training. A relevant degree or mental health qualification is desirable.

In this important role, you will work in partnership with a range of external agencies, including Social Workers, the Police, Youth Offending Services, and community organisations. Your work will be guided by our Trust Safeguarding Practice Model, "Think Family - Think Community," which is built on our core principles:

• Always working WITH families and young people.

• Building relationship-based connections.

• Enabling the utility of the family to be part of the solution.

• Intervening early in the life of a problem.

• Maintaining a strength-focused approach.

• Emphasising accountability, evaluation, and sustainability.

If you are motivated, resilient, and ready to make a real difference in the lives of young people, we want to hear from you!

Job Details

Hours of Work: 37 Hours per Week, Term Time Only

Position Type: Permanent Post

Line Manager: Designated Safeguarding Lead

Travel Required: Occasional

The salary is dependent on current qualifications and experience, please see the attached job description for more information.

Application Process

Please complete the online application form to apply for this role. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application. You should use the information supplied with in the Job Description & Person Specification to make the best of your application by identifying some specific pieces of work you may have undertaken in any of these areas. Your application may be viewed in regard to some or all of the skill specific areas over the course of the selection process. Applications via agencies will not be considered.

Interviews will take place as soon as possible after the closing date.

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting our children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal records and barring checks, scrutiny of employment history, robust referencing and other vetting checks.

Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the Trust. On joining you will be required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practice and to safeguard our children and young people.