School & Community Liaison Manager

Responsible To: Director Of Education

Salary of £24,000 – £32,000 per annum (pro-rata if part/term time)
Permanent, Full time Position (part time/term team hours may be considered)
28 days paid annual leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays (pro rata if part/term time)

Background

Channels and Choices Therapeutic Community aims to be a Centre of Excellence in Child Care and Education. Our objective is to provide young people placed within our Children’s Homes and with our Foster Carers with the highest quality of care. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment.
The Sallygate School is a DFE Registered school for children with SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health). The school curriculum caters for key stage 2, 3 and 4 pupils, and has a high level of staff to child ratios to ensure that each individual child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. The school offers a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum blended with the new National Curriculum.

Job Summary

The School & Community Liaison Manager is required to lead and develop support in the early identification of children who are experiencing difficulties, implementing packages and programmes of support to those children and their families/carers. Make referrals of concern or support to external agencies when appropriate and represent the school at any Child Welfare Meetings.  To support, safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children in the Sallygate School.  To make links with staff in the school, across the community, families, foster carers and external agencies.

We offer a competitive Salary Range of £24,000 – £32,000 per annum (pro-rata if part/term time).  Paid annual leave entitlement of 28 days plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro-rata if part/term time)

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Working for the Community to support and promote the Safeguarding, Child Protection and the Welfare of all children.
• To liaise with School & Staff in the Community in the early identification of children who are experiencing difficulties making referrals to external agencies if appropriate
• Establish excellent links between school, home, foster carers and other professional external agencies
• Promoting children to participate in learning and activities in order to thrive and achieve good emotional and social wellbeing
• Lead and/or attend internal meetings to support children’s welfare and well-being and provide information towards Children in Care Reviews and Personal Education Plan Meetings as requested.
• Represent The Sallygate School at external meetings held in respect of children, such as Early Help, Child in Need, Child in Care Reviews or Child Protection Meetings
• Work directly with children, channels and choices staff and families in a lead role to co-ordinate support programmes for children
• To undertake duties relating to Child Protection issues with the support of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Keep accurate and up to date records, notes of meetings, visits, observations in order to contribute to any meetings held
• Monitor and evidence the impact of any support programmes on child achievement and wellbeing
• Develop additional and alternative creative interventions and learning activities that support progression and achievement, build self-esteem and encourage learning and social participation and promote well-being.
• To help improve and support the attendance of all children
• Demonstrate and model a commitment and contribution to the Equal Opportunities and Multi-Racial policies as well as anti-sexist practice at all times.
• Follow and adhere to all Policies and Procedures at all times.
• Undertake ongoing appropriate CPD and in service training as required by the job role.
• Maintain high standards by behaving and communicating in a professional manner at all times.
• Undertake additional or other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post and as directed and deemed appropriate by the Senior Leadership Team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS (Essential) 

• GCSE in Maths and English at C Grade or above
• Level 3 Qualification in a relevant subject, ie Counselling, Health & Social Care, Children in Residential Care (or equivalent)

QUALIFICATIONS (Desirable)

• Social Work Degree or Qualification (or in training)

EXPERIENCE (Essential) 

• Excellent knowledge and experience of computer/word/outlook based systems
• Experience of working with children, young people and their families in a supportive role
• Working and supporting children with Social and Emotional needs
• Attendance and partaking in Child focussed meetings, such as Child in Need, Child Protection, Early Help
• Prepared to undertake training to take on responsibilities as one of the Designated Safeguarding Lead within the Sallygate School

EXPERIENCE (Desirable)

• Working with children who are in the care system, their families and/or foster care
• Experience of visiting and working with children and families in the home environment
• Previous experience of working in a school
• Trained Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Implementing & Delivering interventions for children and their families

SKILLS & ABILITIES (Essential) 

• Excellent verbal , communication and interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with carers, children, families and colleagues
• Excellent organisational skills and able to under own initiative and as part of a team
• Ability to build relationships and promote change
• Ability to identify and provide appropriate means of support to children, parents, carers and staff
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information

KNOWLEDGE (Essential) 

• Working knowledge of Child Protection & Safeguarding
• Knowledge of the mental health needs of children and adolescents
• Knowledge of the various referral processes and when to refer a child for support

KNOWLEDGE (Desirable)

• An understanding of current legislation and guidance relating to children and young people
• Willing to train as one of the School’s Designated Child Protection Leads

PERSONAL QUALITIES (Essential) 

• Commitment to continued professional and personal development
• Commitment to equal opportunities and valuing diversity
• Reliable, flexible and committed to high standards

ADDITIONAL (Essential) 

• Driver with use of own car
• Must be over 21 years

We have a strong commitment to staff development and there will be considerable opportunities for internal and external training and for sharing good practice within the community.

Channels and Choices are committed to Safer Recruitment, CV’s cannot be considered without a completed application form.