Engagement, Safeguarding And Family Liaison Officer

Sutherland House School

Job Description:  Engagement, Safeguarding and Family Liaison Officer (ESFLO) (1-year fixed term with possibility of extension to permanent)

Location: Sutherland House School

Salary Range: £26,759.00

Current contracted hours: 37 hours per week, Term-time only, 1 year fixed-term

General Information

The following information is provided to assist staff joining the school to understand the expectations and responsibilities linked to the role.  Whilst every effort has been made to outline all the duties and responsibilities of the post, this list is not exhaustive, and this role may cover duties as directed by the Senior Leadership Team that are reasonable and relevant to the duties of an educational setting.   

Purpose of the Post

The role of the ESFL Officer will be to have responsibility for the following areas within the school:

• Engagement – including attendance (line managed by the senior leader responsible for attendance)
• Day-to-day operational Safeguarding and response as required (Line managed by the senior DSL) including supporting with and accurate recording of meetings with outside agencies.
• First aid and medical needs support including information and systems management.
• Support for implementing and facilitating MAP meetings for pupils in year 9 onwards.
• Support with facilitating work experience and placements outside of school.

Although this is a full-time position, there will be an expectation that the post holder will work flexibly and be able to manage their own time to ensure that those urgent and important tasks are undertaken to safeguard pupils.

Key Areas:

Engagement

In conjunction with a member of SLT (responsible for attendance) and attendance officer, monitor and track attendance strategies across the school, including pupils who are of concern.

Support parents with attendance strategies (this may include home visits to support positive attendance)

In partnership with the DLAC attend and support pupils through the PEP process

Attend review meetings with SLT to review whole-school attendance and identify strategies to improve this.

In conjunction with the senior leaders, implement Attendance Frameworks for identified pupils.

Support pupils with medical needs and other issues which prevent full-time attendance by liaising with staff, parents/carers and other professional to provide pupils with missed schoolwork, including completing medical care plans and PEEPs. 

Attend relevant meetings regarding the wellbeing of specific pupils.

Support parents to attend training.

Develop coffee mornings and parent forums to increase parental engagement.

Maintain positive engagement with parents to promote and raise the profile of Sutherland House School

Support Senior Leadership Team with managing and setting up meetings as requested e.g. parent meetings, meeting with external bodies.

Plan and facilitate MAP meetings for pupils in year 9 and above.

Attend EHCP meetings and lead on meetings as and when requested.

Day-to-day operational Safeguarding and responding as required.

With and under the direction of the Designated Safeguarding Leader, co-ordinate systems for the day-to-day triage and response to safeguarding concerns, including ensuring accurate recording via MyConcern.

Lead on and co-ordinate the compilation of reports/requests for information to safeguarding concerns (e.g. S17/S47) in conjunction with the safeguarding team and staff as needed.

Safeguarding transition Lead (ensuring all information is received from previous setting for new pupils and passed to new schools as pupils leave) in a timely manner.

Maintain and update pupil safeguarding records.

Attend TAC, Strat, ICPC, RCPC, Core Groups meetings as required for pupils and families (or ensure appropriate representation by the team of safeguarding leaders)

Work with Early Help services.

Conduct home visits as required and supporting pupils academically.

To attend regular training and disseminate as required  

First aid and medical needs including mental health

To manage the school named person for First Aid and take the responsibility for the appropriate provision for the First Aid across the school.

To oversee the care for pupils who are unwell and liaise with the parents of these pupils.

Develop the position as Mental Health Lead, ensuring that information, training and support is available to staff, pupils and stakeholders.

Health and Safety:

Be aware of the responsibility for personal health, safety and welfare and that of others who may be affected by your actions or inactions.

Co-operate with the school on all issues to do with Health, Safety, and Welfare.

Continuing Professional Development

Participation in Autism East Midland’s staff appraisal and supervision programme.

Reflect on own practice and undertake any professional development as discussed within the appraisal meetings.

Complete all necessary training as required of the role, particularly annual updates such as Safeguarding and first-aid training.

To be responsible to:

The SLT and Headteacher, with Line Management through the Assistant Headteacher/DSL

To cooperate and liaise with:

Teachers, SLT and LAC coordinator to identify and support students needing guidance.

External bodies as appropriate including employers and educational providers.

Parent/carers

The job description may be subject to amendment or modification, should circumstances change, and any changes will be discussed with you in the first instance.

In addition to the duties specified you may be asked to undertake any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties and responsibilities/grade of the post as defined, subject to the proviso that normally any changes of a permanent nature shall be incorporated into the job description in specific cases.