Family Liaison Officer
Ref: SCH-PLT-0099 24 day(s) remainingAdditional Information
Contract Type: Permanent Contract Term: TTO Plus - Term time only plus weeks Hours per Week: 37.00 Weeks per Year: 39.000 Pay Grade: Support Staff | SCP20 - SCP24The Role
Pay/ Salary Range: N6 SCP 20-24 FTE: £31,586 - £34,314
£27,121 - £29,464 actual salary pro-rata (£16.37 - £17.79 per hour)
Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, term time + 5 additional training days
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated Family Liaison Officer to join our dynamic team at Gilbert Ward Academy. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking school committed to the holistic well-being and academic success of pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). The successful candidate will work closely with pupils, families, and staff to foster positive engagement and ensure all children thrive within our supportive environment.
Gilbert Ward Academy is a new, purpose-built Department for Education (DfE) special free school designed to provide a tailored education for pupils aged 11-16 with SEMH needs and ASC. Opened recently to meet a growing demand in the region, the academy is proud to offer a modern, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment.
Our facilities have been specifically designed to support the unique needs of our pupils, with specialist spaces to encourage personal growth, learning, and well-being. Located in Blyth, Northumberland, we are deeply committed to fostering resilience, independence, and aspiration in every pupil we serve.
As part of Prosper Learning Trust, which supports five specialist schools in the North East, we share a commitment to empowering vulnerable young people to succeed..
To learn more about Gilbert Ward Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit our websites.
Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 with Newcastle Bridges School and Mary Astell Academy. Thomas Bewick School joined in 2019, Harry Watts opened in September 2020 and Gilbert Ward Academy opened in September 2023. We are striving to further build collaboration across the schools and grow as a Multi Academy Trust, whilst continuing to strengthen our relationships with schools outside the MAT for the benefit of our pupils.
The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Gilbert Ward Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.
The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:
- A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another
- Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide CPD programmes
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group
- Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme
Full details can be found on our website
Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.
Qualifications
| Qualification Title | Grade | |
|---|---|---|
| Skills qualifications to level 2 or 3. |
Essential
|
|
| High quality ICT skills including Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel etc.) |
Essential
|
|
| Further professional development in special educational needs |
Desirable
|
Skills
| Experience/Knowledge | |
|---|---|
| An understanding of the educational environment and teaching of pupils with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
| Special Requirements | |
| Current driving licence and use of own vehicle |
Essential
|
| Ability to provide care and welfare to pupils including the administration of medication (when trained and competency achieved), toileting and other care needs. |
Essential
|
| Mini-bus test |
Desirable
|
| Enhanced DBS checked to work with vulnerable children |
Essential
|
| Willingness to participate in out of school activities. |
Essential
|
| Prepared to undertake ongoing professional development. |
Essential
|
| Personal Attributes | |
| Calm, confident and professional manner |
Essential
|
| Positive attitude to change |
Essential
|
| High expectations of pupil achievement |
Essential
|
| Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
| Ability to find creative answers to problems. |
Desirable
|
| Excited by opportunities presented by the post. |
Essential
|
| Abilities, Skills and Knowledge | |
| Ability to manage change and meet competing deadlines |
Essential
|
| Knowledge and understanding of new technologies and their use and impact to support learning |
Essential
|
| Knowledge and understanding of the use of assessment for learning |
Essential
|
| Knowledge and understanding of strategies for raising the personal and academic achievement of all students |
Essential
|
| Understanding of specialist schools, barriers and curriculum. |
Desirable
|
| A clear understanding of the Family liaison officer’s role |
Essential
|
| Understanding of the issues affecting truancy and non-school attendance |
Essential
|
| A clear vision of how the role can be used to ensure pupil progression and effective delivery of their learning |
Essential
|
| An understanding of assessment, recording and reporting processes |
Essential
|
| Good verbal and written communication skills. |
Essential
|
| Ability to cope with conflict situations |
Essential
|
| Ability to act on own initiative |
Essential
|
| Ability to speak with confidence in a variety of contexts |
Essential
|
| Ability to maintain accurate records |
Essential
|
| Commitment to equal opportunities |
Essential
|
| Ability to communicate orally and in writing with both internal and external agencies |
Essential
|
| Understanding of the processes of self-evaluation in relation to school improvement |
Essential
|
| Ability to prioritise tasks |
Essential
|
| Experience | |
| Experience of working with and supporting autistic pupils and their family. |
Essential
|
| Experience of working with pupils across secondary phases |
Desirable
|
| Experience of working with parents and carers to encourage school attendance and wellbeing. |
Essential
|
Related Documents
Safeguarding Information
Prosper Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as well as vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to apply for Disclosure from the DBS.
The Trust actively promotes equality of opportunity with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcomes applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. The Trust selects all candidates for employment based on their skills, qualifications and experience, in comparison against the person specification.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you are invited for interview, you will be required to disclose convictions that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. Certain spent convictions and cautions will be ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed. Full details on protected convictions and information about which convictions must be declared during job applications can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. You will be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure and Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed. This role will include Regulated Activities and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure is required for this post. Please note that in all cases written references will be taken up and made available to interviewers before the final selection stage; even if you indicate otherwise.
Online vetting checks will be carried out for candidates who are shortlisted.
Gilbert Ward Academy
Princess Louise Site
Blyth
Northumberland
NE24 2TS.
Barry Reed
admin@gilbertwardacademy.co.uk