Parent Support Advisor

Salary: Grade 7, Point 8: £12,472 per annum (ACTUAL)*

Contract: Fixed Term until August 2027, 20 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days). Although this is a fixed term contract, this may be extended subject to the continuation of associated funding.

*The salary quoted reflects the annual salary for the position at the time of advertising. Payment will be made in equal monthly instalments and will be adjusted at the start of employment, and again if employment ends partway through the school year, to ensure the correct salary is paid for work completed during the academic year.

St Mary the Virgin CE Primary School are seeking a highly organised and compassionate Parent Support Advisor to join our dedicated team. This is a rewarding role that provides vital support to parents and families within our school community.

This role will involve:

• Acting as the first point of contact for parents, offering advice and support in a friendly, professional manner.
• Working with families to help overcome barriers to learning, including attendance, behaviour and wellbeing challenges.
• Signposting parents to external agencies and community support where appropriate.
• Supporting the safeguarding and pastoral work of the school.
• Working with small groups of children to support learning across curriculum.
• Build positive relationships with pupils, staff and families.

We’re Looking for Someone Who:

• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Is highly organised, reliable and able to manage a busy workload.
• Can build strong, positive relationships with children, families and staff.
• Has a caring, empathetic, and solution-focused approach.
• Brings experience in administration/family support.
• Have experience working with children

To find out more about the benefits of working for SAST, click here.

For more information about our school, please click here to view our careers page.

Should you wish to arrange a visit to view the School, please do not hesitate to contact the School Office, on office@stmarygillingham.dorset.sch.uk who will be happy to arrange this.

SAST will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role may include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child. It will have contact with young people on a day-to-day basis. SAST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

SAST recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. SAST values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 SAST welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.