Education Family Worker

Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Access to Education Family Worker on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

Main purpose of position:

This post works within a small team securing access to education for those children most at risk of missing education. The post holder will need to work closely with hard to reach parents and a wide range of agencies to increase access to education and attendance of vulnerable pupils

As an Education Family Worker,you will be responsible to:

Promote full access to education for vulnerable pupils at risk of missing education. Liaise closely with schools/educational provisions and admissions for places.

To act as a link between parents of vulnerable pupils and school, helping to secure access to education and encourage regular school attendance. Ensure that important information is passed to school staff in respect of cultural background, particular needs, social care involvement and family circumstances.

Work with schools and LBC agencies to identify those families most at risk of not applying for a school place in the normal admissions round to maximise their chances of securing their preferred school. Attend open evenings and provide information to groups of parents on the admissions process.

Carry out multi-agency and relevant joint case work with services. Refer all safeguarding concerns to social care and attend case conferences, core group meetings, child in need meetings, other child protection meetings and other professionals meetings as appropriate.

Work with other LA teams (e.g. Education Welfare Services, Social Care, Home Education Officer, Alternative Learning & Progression Service) to secure access to education for vulnerable families. Signpost families to other support services e.g. Housing, health services, benefit agencies as appropriate.

Maintain full and accurate records of work undertaken and case files. Compile and maintain data on Year R admissions and the transition between Key Stages and Post 16. Support children, families, schools/educational provisions and other agencies in facilitating these transitions.

Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrable experience of working with children, young people and families in a multi-cultural context, who are hard to engage and face challenging circumstances.
• Demonstrable experience of working with challenging and disengaged families, supporting them to make informed choices that will deliver realistic and best outcomes for their children
• Experience of applying safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures
• Able to communicate tactfully, politely, sensitively, objectively and persuasively, working in partnership with parents, schools and representatives of various agencies, in order to develop and maintain constructive relationships
• Able to maintain accurate and comprehensive records updating data bases and using ICT where appropriate.
• Able to demonstrate excellent judgement and decision-making skills when analysing problems and working with parents and other agencies to determine suitable options
• Demonstrable understanding of the needs of ethnic minority communities in the context of education
• Qualification in child care or working with adults OR equivalent relevant experience
• Able to undertake daily visits to various locations throughout Luton, including unauthorised sites at short notice
• Able to converse with ease with members of the public and provide effective help or advice in accurate and fluent spoken English

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. Therefore, it is essential in making your application you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitations of Offenders 1974 (Exemptions) (Amendments) Order 1986. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are 'spent' under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.

About Us

Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.

Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.

We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Connect2Luton, part of Luton Borough Council & Kent Commercial Services LLP, is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business and positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.