Attendance Officer – AR

Attendance Officer (Traded Support)

Location: Walsall
Pay Rate: Up to £17.85 per hour PAYE, depending on experience
Hours: 30 hours per week across 4 days
Working Arrangement: Hybrid – remote working with home and school visits
Contract: Term-time only, until 31 March 2027, with potential extension
Essential Requirement: Car driver with business insurance
References: 2 professional references required

Role Purpose

Walsall’s School Attendance Support Service is seeking motivated and experienced Attendance Officers to work with schools, children, young people and families to improve school attendance and reduce levels of absence.

The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload and work independently within a statutory framework and graduated, restorative approach. You will identify barriers to regular attendance, provide appropriate support and work closely with schools and families to develop strategies that help children and young people access education and achieve their potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied and potentially complex caseload relating to school attendance and absence.
• Work closely with schools, pupils, parents and carers to identify and address barriers to attendance.
• Carry out home visits and attend meetings with parents/carers and schools where required.
• Support children and young people who are at risk of becoming persistently absent.
• Provide advice, guidance and practical support to families to improve school attendance.
• Work within relevant statutory attendance processes and a graduated system of intervention.
• Use a restorative and relationship-based approach when working with children, young people and families.
• Build trusted and professional relationships with schools, families and partner agencies.
• Provide flexible and responsive support based on individual circumstances and needs.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records, reports and other documentation.
• Monitor and analyse attendance information and data to inform decision-making and interventions.
• Communicate clearly with a range of professionals, parents, carers and young people.
• Work effectively as part of the wider attendance team and contribute to service development.
• Manage workload effectively and work independently while meeting required deadlines and statutory timescales.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Experience working with children, young people and families.
• Experience within an educational setting.
• Previous experience supporting or improving school attendance.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive, trusted relationships with families, schools and partner agencies.
• Experience managing a caseload and prioritising competing demands.
• Strong report writing and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently within a statutory framework.
• Confidence to have potentially challenging conversations with parents/carers.
• Ability to provide flexible, creative and responsive support tailored to individual needs.
• Good IT skills, including maintaining accurate records and using data to support decision-making.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and contribute to service improvement.
• Excellent spoken and written English, with the ability to provide clear and accurate advice and support.

Additional Requirements

• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required due to home and school visits.
• Business insurance must be in place for work-related travel.
• Two professional references will be required.