Parent Link Worker

The Parent Link Worker (Family Support Officer) acts as a vital bridge between the school and home. The primary goal is to empower parents and carers to take an active role in their child’s education and well-being. By providing early intervention, emotional support, and practical guidance, you will help remove barriers to learning and ensure every child has a stable, supportive environment to thrive in.

Key Responsibilities

1. Family Engagement & Support

• Build Relationships: Establish trust with parents/carers, particularly those who may feel marginalised or reluctant to engage with the school.
• Home Visits: Conduct home visits to assess needs and provide support in a familiar environment.
• Crisis Intervention: Provide immediate support to families in times of crisis, directing them to appropriate internal or external services.
• Parenting Programs: Organise and facilitate workshops on topics such as positive behaviour management, healthy routines, and supporting literacy at home.

2. Multi-Agency Collaboration

• Signposting: Act as a navigator for families to access external services (e.g., Housing, Children’s Social Care, Mental Health Services, and Food Banks).
• Team Around the Family (TAF): Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, ensuring the family’s voice is heard and progress is tracked.
• Safeguarding: Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to report concerns and maintain rigorous records in line with school policy.

3. Improving Pupil Outcomes

• Attendance: Monitor persistent absence and work with families to identify and resolve the root causes of poor attendance.
• Transition Support: Assist families during key transitions, such as moving from Nursery to Reception or Primary to Secondary school.
• Well-being: Identify children who may be struggling emotionally due to home circumstances and provide 1-to-1 or small group support.