Home Academy Liaison Officer

About Us

Our core values of determination, integrity, curiosity and empathy inspire and nurture a passion for learning and success with a strong sense of inclusivity, individuality and responsibility. We use our voices purposefully as global citizens.

The foundations of achieving our vision are:

• Outstanding curriculum, with outstanding quality and breadth of education
• Exceptional teachers who support students' passion for learning with the tools for success for every individual
• Relationships, routines and recognition that lead to a sense of belonging, wellbeing, mutual respect and exemplary behaviour both within Harris Lowe Academy Willesden and in our local community
• Post-16 excellence with a broad range of pathways, sporting academies and inspiring student leaders
• Arts and sports specialisms that embed essential skills and enable exceptional performance
• Our moral purpose is to ensure our students and staff have access to the best possible futures and contribute positively to society through an outstanding careers/development programme, excellent leadership, and coaching.

From its origins as the first city academy, the exceptional education we provide takes advantage of the opportunities offered by our privileged location and facilities in the most vibrant, multi-cultural city in the world. The enthusiasm, discipline and ambition of our students combined with the high expectations, outstanding teaching and creative dedication of our staff makes our vision a reality.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include

• Overseeing Educational Welfare across the academy.
• Managing a caseload of 'at risk' students, where attendance falls below 85% and implement strategies to improve attendance
• Monitoring and improving the attendance of most vulnerable students
• Ensuring compliance with statutory duties, including reporting persistent and severe absenteeism
• Conducting home visits to engage families and address barriers to school attendance
• Maintaining accurate attendance records and preparing reports
• Representing the academy at external meetings e.g. Social Services Case Conferences, Child in Need Meetings, LAC Reviews
• Communicating effectively with all external agencies including possible alternative providers
• Ensuring effective communication/consultation as appropriate with the parents of students
• Leading on legal interventions for non-attendance where necessary
• Co-ordinating appropriate and tailored alternative provision for students unable to thrive in mainstream education
• Supporting the school's inclusion strategy
• Maintaining the alternative provision tracker and monitoring student progress
• Building and maintaining partnerships with external providers, agencies, and support networks
• Ensuring safeguarding and health and safety standards in alternative provision settings
• Acting as a liaison between the academy, external providers, students, and families to ensure seamless support and transition to alternative placemen
• Ensuring compliance with local and national policies related to alternative provision. as well as safeguarding protocols
• Regularly reviewing alternative provision placements and providing feedback to stakeholders.
• Maintaining confidential records of support
• Preparing of reports and maintaining records relating to student referrals and subsequent counselling or support
• Providing support to the attendance team
• Providing administrative support to coordinate internal seclusion

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you have:

• Qualifications to degree level or equivalent
• Knowledge of behaviour for learning policies
• Knowledge of the range of barriers to learning that students face
• Training in child protection and safeguarding procedures
• Basic knowledge of first aid (e.g. emergency first aid course)
• At least three years' experience of working in an inner city school or educational establishment in a pastoral capacity
• Experience of dealing successfully with a range of issues influencing poor attendance
• Experience of working with staff to ensure excellent standards of attendance and punctuality
• Experience of working with families
• Experience of working with challenging students and parents, and finding ways in which we can meet their needs more successfully

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.