Family Liaison Officer

Package Description

Being an employee of Northgate High School allows you access to an Employee Benefits scheme saving you money on many High Street brands, a cycle-to-work scheme, use of the sports facilities, library, and free parking. Hot meals are available on-site during term time.  We also offer entry into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The Role

The main purpose of the Family Liaison Officer is to improve the attendance of students who are classified as persistently absent and ensure they receive a suitable education.

Main Responsibilities

The main responsibilities include:

• Playing an active role in safeguarding students and maintaining our safeguarding culture 
• Promote the values and vision of the school, developing a culture of high expectations and personal responsibility 
• Support the consistent implementation of school policies, approaches and expectations 
• Promote high standards of behaviour, discipline and personal appearance amongst students for whom responsibility is held. 
• Promote Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development (SMSC), British Values and students’ personal development
• Establish and maintain positive relationships and engagement with parents/carers through regular home visits and school attendance meetings 
• To support parents/carers in meeting their responsibilities regarding the education of their children 
• To work with the EWO and other external agencies who are working with students who are classified as persistent absence 
• To support the Attendance Officer in the administration and routines of daily attendance 
• Keep up to date records of interventions being used and data that demonstrates the impact.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience and skills in the following:

• Of interaction with children/students 
• Able to operate within school systems and guidelines and able to uphold the Northgate ethos 
• Able to manage a diverse workload and liaise with a wide audience 
• Good judgement of when to refer issues to the line manager, other colleagues and professionals as appropriate 
• Strong communication and inter-personal skills 
• Recognised competence in literacy and numeracy 
• Ability to hold a consistent line with students, parents, external agencies and Northgate staff.

About the school/organisation

Northgate High School is an 11-18 school situated on the edge of Ipswich. Our school  is an impressive site, with purpose-built centres maintained and equipped to the highest standards, including recent investment in technology.

We embrace three core values of Respect, Determination and Teamwork. These values are fundamental to the calm and positive learning environment that we strive to achieve at all levels across the school.

Following Ofsted’s 2019 inspection under the new framework, we remain a ‘Good’ school.  Ofsted noted that “pupils enjoy coming to this school” and that “the Sixth form is a vibrant learning community, where every student is valued as an individual.

The ethos at Northgate is underpinned by our genuine desire to support the wellbeing of every student and staff member ensuring that they can realise their full potential. We value our staff highly and, if you join us, you will be working in a school that is committed to staff wellbeing, offers a first class professional development programme carefully linked to the School Improvement Plan and Performance Management Objectives. This means that our CPD programme strengthens the link between personal autonomy and our aims as a school. We maintain positive links with other local schools and universities.

Along with the extensive CPD programme  we offer a competitive pension scheme and benefit package which is available to all staff.