Family Liaison Officer/Welfare Officer Application

Are you looking for a new challenge? We are seeking to appoint a Family Liaison Officer who is committed to working in partnership with the Headteacher, providing a supportive role to many families

We can offer you:

An outstanding school (OFSTED June 2011)

Delightful children who are full of enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn

Teaching school status, working as part of the Ashford Teaching Alliance

Shared child centred vision and values

Strong support for your further professional development

A belief that well-being of all children and staff is paramount

An opportunity to work as a Family in partnership with an experienced FLO at Kennington Academy (Junior School)

A strong forward thinking leadership team

Highly motivated staff who are full of inspiration and thrive from new initiatives and ideas

Links with the local community to support you in your role.

Experienced governors who have high expectations and the drive to challenge and support

A vibrant and stimulating learning environment in which to work

To become part of our team as a Family Liaison Officer you will need to have the following skills and experience:

Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills

Have high expectations of yourself and others

Substantial experience of working with young children and their families in an educational, social or health setting

Knowledge and understanding of the parenting needs of young children

Sound knowledge and understanding of child development and care

Are compassionate and honest Are highly organised and can use initiative

Demonstrate the vision and values of the school in everyday work and practice

PAYSCALE: KR6 £19, 415

25 hours per week. Term time only. Pro- rata

8.30am – 2pm every day (1/2 hour lunch)

I year temporary contract. To start as soon as possible.

Downs View is committed to safeguarding and promoting the

welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced

DBS.

Downs View is an equal opportunities employer and positively

encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible

candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual

orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status

or pregnancy and maternity.

The recruitment process

1 The closing date is Tuesday 3rd May at 12pm

2. Visits prior to application or interview are welcomed with

the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher.

3. Shortlisting will take place on Tuesday 3rd May pm.

4. References will be sought for the short listed candidates.

5. Interviews will take place on Thursday 5th May.

If you have any queries then please contact the school on:

01233 632339

We look forward to receiving your application!

DOWNS VIEW INFANT SCHOOL

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Family Liaison Officer (FLO)/Welfare Officer

Grade: KR6

Hours: 25 hours per week (term time) (8.30am -2pmwith 1/2 hour lunch)

Responsible to: Headteacher

Job Summary: Provide support, information and education service to parents of children attending

the school and investigate concerns raised by parents, pupils and teachers as agreed

by the Headteacher through the school’s internal referral system. The FLO will focus

their work on preventative and early intervention activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Establish and foster good relationships with parents/carers of children at the school.

Encourage parental involvement in the school and its activities.

2. Promote the self-esteem of parents/carers to help them to maximise their own personal and

interpersonal skills, which will enable them to respond to their family’s needs by

communicating openly and to provide good parenting.

3. To always remain professional when dealing with parents, keeping all information

confidential at all times.

4. Share information on practical childcare and parenting skills, identifying need for support,

including how to meet the emotional needs of children (e.g. setting boundaries and

consistent discipline).

5. To provide impartial information or referrals to parents about the school and relevant local

services available to parents, children and families including those provided by educations,

social care, childcare providers, the voluntary sector and others.

6. To make contact with parents on a daily basis when their child is absent.

7. Act as attendance Officer at school to support and challenge parents about poor attendance

and provide support for families with children who have high absence rates.

8. Liaise with members of school staff regarding families/children as necessary and with

parent/carer consent.

9. Encourage good relations and effective dialogue between parents and teachers about

children’s progress.

10. Keep up to date on the range of agencies working locally in order to maintain knowledge of

services that parents might be signposted to.

11. Liaise with the school’s Child Protection Officers, sharing information which is appropriate in

assessing children and family’s welfare, ensuring that children’s well-being is paramount.

12. To ensure the children in need of medicines receive them at the appropriate time, the parents

have given consent and medicines are stored correctly.

13. To manage the ’Medical Care Plans’ under the direction of the Inclusion Leader.

14. Keep records and all documentation pertaining to meetings/contact with children and young

people and their families in a confidential place.

15. Abide by all school policies at all times.

16. Continue own professional training and development as targeted through appraisal process.

17. Any other duties and responsibilities within the range of the salary grade.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: FAMILY LIAISON OFFICER/WELFARE OFFICER

Essential Desirable Qualifications/Training - Good basic education with

competency in English and Mathematics

- Willingness to undertake further training

- Full driving licence and business insurance

- Willingness to undertake foundation course in basic counselling skills

- Relevant childcare qualification – e.g. NNEB, NVQ, CACHE

Experience and Attainments

- Previous experience of working with children and families in the public, private or voluntary sector

- Previous experience as a welfare officer/FLO.

Skills and Abilities - Excellent communication, listening and observation skills

- Ability to deal with difficult/sensitive situations

- Ability to handle confidential information professionally

- Organisational abilities and accurate record keeping skills

- Ability to facilitate parenting skills

- Good inter-personal skills - Willingness to work outside

normal school hours e.g. before school starts or after school

- Ability to facilitate groups

- Previous experience with inter agency working (Health/Social Services etc.)

- Willingness to attend evening meetings

Knowledge - Up to date knowledge of safeguarding policy and practice in schools

- Sound knowledge and understanding of child care and development

- Knowledge of the parenting needs of children

- Knowledge of well-being and involvement assessment strategies for children

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- Knowledge of special educational needs

- Knowledge of school entry procedure

- Knowledge of resources within the Ashford area