Home School Link Worker

Are you passionate about making a genuine difference to the lives of children and families? Do you have the skills to build positive relationships, provide practical support and help children overcome barriers to learning and wellbeing?

We are seeking a committed and compassionate Home School Link Worker to join our dedicated team at Linden Bridge School, a specialist school for children and young people aged 4-19 with Complex Autism and other co-occurring needs. As part of The Howard Partnership Trust, we are committed to bringing out the best in every child and supporting families to achieve positive outcomes.

About the Role

The Home School Link Worker plays a vital role in strengthening partnerships between home and school to improve outcomes for our pupils and their families. Working closely with children, parents, carers, staff and external agencies, you will provide targeted support and intervention to help families navigate challenges and fully engage with school life.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Working directly with children and families both individually and in small groups.
• Supporting parents and carers with parenting strategies, behaviour management and practical family support.
• Building positive relationships with families to enhance engagement with school.
• Supporting the emotional wellbeing and educational development of pupils.
• Contributing to Early Help assessments and attending relevant multi-agency meetings, including Team Around the Family (TAF), Child in Need and Child Protection meetings where required.
• Undertaking home visits and coordinating support with external professionals.
• Supporting attendance improvement initiatives.
• Assisting families in understanding SEND processes.
• Supporting access to services, grants and resources that enable children and families to thrive.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Is educated to A Level, HNC or equivalent, or can demonstrate equivalent experience and ability.
• Has experience of working with children, young people and families, ideally within a school, SEND or similar setting.
• Has experience of working collaboratively with social care and other agencies to identify and implement support for families, beyond the school day.
• Has a sound understanding of child development and safeguarding practices.
• Can build trusting relationships with parents, carers and professionals.
• Is highly organised, able to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Has strong communication, record-keeping and IT skills.
• Demonstrates resilience, empathy and a solution-focused approach.
• Is willing to undertake Designated Safeguarding training and become part of the school's safeguarding team.

Why Join Linden Bridge School?

At Linden Bridge School, we provide specialist education and support that enables pupils with autism and complex social communication needs to achieve their full potential in education and in life. We are proud of our inclusive and nurturing environment, where staff work collaboratively to support both pupils and families.

You will join a dedicated and supportive staff team who are committed to making a lasting difference and who value professional development, wellbeing and collaborative working.

Working Pattern

The role is based on 35 hours per week, generally worked Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Flexibility is required, as some home visits and family meetings may need to take place outside normal school hours to accommodate family commitments.

All adults employed by the Trust have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations.

The Howard Partnership Trust is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of gender, marital status, disability, race, age, or sexual orientation.

All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of this advertisement.

As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

SAFEGUARDING AND FURTHER INFORMATION

The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The Howard Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.