MAIN PURPOSE

This is a new role being created to implement the targeted termly support meetings with schools required under the statutory changes introduced in the Working Together to Improve Attendance guidance.

The key purpose is to improve attendance across schools in Lewisham given advice and guidance and leading schools with policy development as well as case advice.

This will be achieved by leading the targeted support meetings with schools, LA colleagues, and other agencies to identify pupils and cohorts at risk of poor attendance and agreeing target actions and plans to support pupils and ensure their right to education.

Analysing attendance data is an essential part of the role to enable solution focused approaches to help schools target vulnerable pupils and cohorts by reducing persistent absence (PA) and severe absence (SA) and improving attendance for all children and young people.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To have a detailed knowledge of Working Together to Improve School Attendance 2024, Education Act 1996, Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, Pupil Registration Regulations 2024, Children Missing Education 2016, KCSIE, the role of the EWO and LA procedures around attendance, legal action, CME and EHE. To have a strong working knowledge of safeguarding and early help systems.

To promote the team around the school approach and participate in meetings alongside colleagues from other local authority services to ensure school attendance remains a priority in action planning.

To sign post schools to make referrals to services both in and outside of the local authority.

To think and act strategically, solve problems, and make decisions to break down barriers across agencies that prevent or impact on the pupil being able to attend an educational setting.

Responsible for the operational delivery of the targeted support meetings to all school not currently trading with the Lewisham attendance service.

Participate in the development of the targeted support meetings, policies, and processes to improve, strengthen, and embed a culture across all targeted schools whereby attendance is recognised as being crucial to outcomes and future life chances.

Promote and safeguard the welfare of pupils you come into contact with when visiting schools.

To improve attendance for individual pupil's and improve overall school attendance including reducing persistent absence (PA) and severe absence (SA)

To solve problems of a complex nature; showing innovation; tenacity and displaying sensitive interpersonal skills whilst working collaboratively with schools, attendance officers and other LA colleagues around attendance, safeguarding and associated matters.

To have an understanding of systemic school systems and how to improve the systems in order to improve attendance.

Knowledge

1. Good working knowledge of the following legislation and guidance:

2. Knowledge of Working Together to Improve School Attendance 2024,

3. Education Act 1996, Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003,

4. Pupil Registration Regulations 2024,

5. Children Missing Education 2016,

6. KCSIE, the role of the Attendance Officer and LA procedures around attendance, legal action, CME and EHE.

7. knowledge of IT systems and be fully proficient in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, e-mail and relevant attendance systems and data.

8. School Attendance, Registration Regulations, Admissions and School Exclusions

9. Legal and processes in relation to irregular attendance

10. Safeguarding, Common Assessment Framework and child protection procedures

11. Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Legislation

12. Good working knowledge

* the causes and links between low educational attainment, social inclusion, and poor attendance.

* Whole school strategies and frameworks of self-assessment for attendance management.

* Strategies to improve school attendance and reduce persistent absence.

* Information Advice & Guidance practices to prevent pupils from becoming NEET.

Aptitude

1. A champion of the professional integrity of the service.

2. Embracing the changing landscape of local authority working and the requirement to implement and promote a changing culture.

3. To work independently but also seek advice and make use of supervision.

4. To represent the authority.

Skills

1. To have a customer and business approach.

2. To have good time management and prioritising skills to work within agreed time scales.

3. To have excellent inter-personal skills to develop effective collaborative working relationships.

4. To have excellent verbal and written communication skills, recording clearly and accurately.

5. To have good word processing and ICT Skills, including compiling reports to be viewed by external partners.

6. To have a commitment to learning, development and the achievement of potential of self, colleagues and customers.

Experience

Significant experience working in a child-centred way, ensuring that indicators of child abuse and/or neglect are identified, and action taken in a timely and appropriate manner in line with corporate procedure and national best practice.

Significant experience of multi-agency working, listening, and empowering others in problem solving with a range of colleagues including external partners.

Significant experience in school attendance data analysis and interpreting information to advise and guide.

Experience of using a range of IT software and composing professional reports

Experience of working in an enforcement/investigation related discipline.

Experience of working with vulnerable children and families.

Experience of providing effective support and challenge whilst maintaining a positive relationship as part of a day-to-day role.

Experience of compiling reports for a range of specified agencies or professionals and experience of recording clearly and accurately.

Significant experience working with vulnerable children and families providing effective support and challenge whilst maintaining a positive relationship as part of a day to role.

Experience in the field of Education Attendance/Welfare.

Experience of keeping sensitive information confidential and to liaise constructively with relevant parties to resolve sensitive issues.

Experience of maintaining and forming appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with children, young people, and vulnerable adults