We have an excellent opportunity for an Education Welfare Officer to join our Education Welfare Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a Full-time, Permanent basis (term-time only).
As an Education Welfare Officer, you will work in partnership with schools, families, and multi-agency partners to promote regular school attendance and remove barriers to education for young people. You will conduct consultation visits, manage complex casework involving parents and carers, and lead on interventions to improve individual pupil attendance. Where necessary, you will undertake legal proceedings on behalf of the Local Authority, issue Penalty Notices, and represent the council at Child Protection and Team Around the Family meetings to ensure safeguarding procedures are strictly adhered to.
You will also prepare detailed consultation notes, legal documents, and formal reports while acting as a specialist within the team. Collaborating with social workers, health professionals, and youth justice services, you will develop action plans to support vulnerable pupils and ensure the Local Authority meets its statutory responsibilities regarding school attendance and exclusions to the highest standard.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a tactful, resilient, and diplomatically skilled individual with an appropriate professional qualification and experience working with children, young people, and families, to join our team.
Staff Benefits
Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
- Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
- Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
- Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes
- Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
- Move through Menopause Course
- Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more
- Learning & Development Opportunities
Key Responsibilities
- Working directly with schools, parents, and external agencies to ensure regular school attendance.
- Conducting home visits to identify barriers to attendance and implementing appropriate interventions.
- Monitoring and analysing attendance data to identify which areas of support are needed within schools.
- Participating in multi-agency meetings.
- Enforcing education legislation and attending court hearings.
- You will be the first point of contact for schools and parents regarding attendance issues, providing advice, guidance and support to promote positive outcomes.
Candidate Requirements
- Experience working in an education welfare or attendance role, with good understanding of relevant legislation.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, parents, and professionals.
- Strong organisational and time management abilities, with the capacity to manage a diverse caseload.
- Proactive and solution focused, with the ability to identify barriers to attendance and implement effective interventions.
- Team player, able to collaborate with colleagues and external agencies to achieve common goals.
- A UK driving license and access to a vehicle and travel between schools will be required.
Our Area:
Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.
Our Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.
We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
Click the link below and apply Today!
Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Carole Vernon, Principal Education Welfare Officer, via [email protected] (Strictly no agencies).
Closing date: Monday 22nd June 2026 at 11pm
Interview date: 25th and 26th June 2026 times to be agreed
AI in Applications:
We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.
However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.
We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.
If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
