Education Welfare Officer (Attendance & Inclusion) - Term Time Only

Education Welfare Officer (Attendance & Inclusion)

Salary: £21,500–£24,500 (Dependent on Experience)

Hours: 35 per week, term time only (39 weeks)

Location: Schools across Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton & Sandwell (hybrid)

Reports to: Senior Education Welfare Officer

About Instill Excellence

Instill Excellence provides specialist attendance, education welfare, inclusion and safeguarding support to schools across the West Midlands. We believe every child deserves regular education and work closely with schools and families to remove barriers, improve attendance and strengthen whole-school practice. As our service grows, we are seeking an experienced Education Welfare Officer who shares our values and is committed to making a positive difference.

Role Summary

You will provide attendance and inclusion support across a portfolio of schools, helping to improve attendance, reduce persistent/severe absence and strengthen school systems. The role includes managing an independent caseload, leading attendance meetings, undertaking home visits, identifying barriers and working collaboratively with families and professionals to secure sustained improvements.

Main Responsibilities

• Manage an allocated caseload across multiple schools.
• Analyse attendance data to identify pupils needing intervention.
• Lead attendance review meetings with parents/carers.
• Identify barriers and develop practical attendance improvement plans.
• Undertake home visits where appropriate.
• Monitor attendance following intervention and review progress.
• Provide advice in line with Working Together to Improve School Attendance and current legislation.
• Support schools to strengthen attendance systems, graduated responses and positive attendance cultures.

Partnership Working

• Build positive relationships with school leaders, families and partner agencies.
• Promote effective engagement between home and school.
• Provide advice, guidance and signposting where additional support is needed.
• Work collaboratively with professionals to improve attendance and outcomes.
• Offer supportive challenge where required.

Professional Responsibilities

• Represent Instill Excellence professionally at all times.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with GDPR.
• Produce high-quality correspondence, reports and case notes.
• Keep up to date with legislation, guidance and best practice.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings and CPD.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Follow Instill Excellence and school safeguarding procedures.
• Recognise and report concerns promptly.
• Maintain appropriate safeguarding records and complete mandatory training.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE English & Maths (Grade C/4+).
• Level 3 qualification in Education, Childcare, Youth Work, Family Support, Social Care or similar.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use.

Desirable Qualifications

• Attendance/EWO/Inclusion/Family Support training.
• Level 3 Safeguarding.
• Training in Working Together to Improve School Attendance, Early Help, SEND or Child Protection.
• Mental health or trauma-informed practice training.

Essential Experience

• Minimum two years’ recent experience with children, young people and families in education, attendance, welfare or family support.
• Experience improving attendance and reducing persistent absence.
• Managing an independent caseload.
• Leading meetings with parents, including challenging conversations.
• Identifying barriers and developing support plans.
• Analysing attendance data and monitoring impact.
• Producing clear reports, records and professional correspondence.
• Used school MIS systems (e.g., Arbor, Bromcom, SIMS).

Desirable Experience

• Home visits.
• Working across multiple schools.
• Working with Early Help, Children’s Services or health professionals.
• Applying Working Together to Improve School Attendance.

Essential Knowledge

• Working Together to Improve School Attendance.
• Attendance legislation, statutory guidance and coding.
• Persistent/severe absence and common barriers.
• Safeguarding, KCSIE, information sharing and GDPR.

Desirable Knowledge

• Early Help processes.
• SEND, EBSNA and inclusion.
• Local authority attendance processes and statutory intervention.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence leading meetings and managing challenging conversations.
• Ability to build positive relationships while providing appropriate challenge.
• Strong organisation and time management; able to work independently.
• Analytical skills and ability to interpret attendance data.
• Excellent written communication and report writing.
• Professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.
• Calm, resilient and solution-focused approach.
• Commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children.