School Welfare Officer – The Sallygate School

School Welfare Officer – The Sallygate School

Responsible To: Head Teacher

Due to up and coming expansion, a rewarding opportunity has arisen at our school, The Sallygate, and we are currently looking for a School Welfare Officer.

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 Welfare Officer 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 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.

The post is permanent, term time + 10 days and is based in our Sallygate School. We offer a competitive Salary Range of £18,500 – 22,000 per annum.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Working as part of small team to support and promote the Safeguarding, Child Protection and the Welfare of all children.
• To liaise with School Staff in the early identification of children who are experiencing difficulties making referrals to external agencies if appropriate
• Establish excellent links between school, home 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.
• Deliver interventions and learning activities on a one to one or small group work basis, in a variety of environments under the direction of the Senior Leadership Team and the guidance of Lead Teachers.
• To assist in the supervision of children inside and outside the classroom including the play areas
• 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.
• Partake in ‘extra curricula’ activities (out of school hours and in school holidays as directed by Senior Leadership Team) in line with the identified needs of the pupils.
• 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 (Essential)

• GCSE in Maths and English at C Grade or above
• Excellent knowledge and experience of computer/word/outlook based systems
• Experience of working with children, young people and their families in a supportive role
• Attendance and partaking in Child focussed meetings, such as Child in Need, Child Protection, Early Help
• Excellent verbal , communication and interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with carers, children, families and colleagues
• Able to work under own initiative and as part of a team
• Excellent organisational skills and able to work 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
• Excellent knowledge and experience of computer/word/outlook based systems
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• 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
• Commitment to continued professional and personal development
• Commitment to equal opportunities and valuing diversity
• Reliable, flexible and committed to high standards
• Driver with use of own car
• Must be over 21 years

Person Specification (Desireable)

• Health & Social Care qualification
• 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
• Working and supporting children with Social and Emotional needs
• Implementing & Delivering interventions for children and their families
• 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

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.