In this role, you will provide strategic guidance and professionalism to staff, on attendance policy and practice, while supporting teams with complex cases such as persistent absence and emotionally based school avoidance. You will build strong relationships with families, staff, and external agencies to address barriers to attendance, lead on data analysis to inform inclusive strategies, and advise on legal processes in partnership with local authorities. Across all schools, you will model high standards of safeguarding awareness, professional curiosity, and inclusive engagement.
This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in education or attendance advisory work who is ready to operate with a level of autonomy and strategic responsibility. You will be a key part of our Trust-wide approach to inclusion, wellbeing, and safeguarding.
About the Role
Permanent Role, 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year
As an Attendance Welfare Co-Ordinator, you will play a key role in promoting a culture of excellent attendance across our academy. Working in partnership with leadership, safeguarding and inclusion teams, you will identify trends, advise on effective interventions, and ensure schools are responding to attendance concerns in a timely, consistent, and inclusive way.
This is a varied and high-impact role that combines operational support with strategic oversight. Your responsibilities will include:
To maintain robust chronologies outlining all communication, support and intervention for individual pupils who do not attend well
Administer a daily welfare check each morning with the families of all vulnerable pupils who are absent that morning and record the details of the conversations
To conduct home visits where appropriate and always with another DRET colleague
To chair meetings regarding pupil’s attendance, including SAP and GAP meetings
To liaise with members of the pastoral and welfare teams, including HOY, Tutors, the SENCO and Student Services for a full understanding of each pupil’s circumstances
To work with individual pupils and their family in setting targets for improved attendance and reviewing success on a regular basis, always intervening to sustain improvement
To lead on referrals to external agencies
To liaise with other agencies in finding appropriate solutions, such as the Virtual Head, representatives from the LCSP working with the family in consultation with the academy safeguarding leads, medical practitioners and CAMHS
To conduct daily attendance checks for pupils attending alternative providers and hospital schools
To conduct Quality Assurance visits to Alternative providers
To source and deliver suitable intervention programmes and engage with LA led interventions such as the EBSA programme
To liaise with the school leader responsible for PSHE and contribute to curriculum conversations about factors affecting poor attendance
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a committed and confident professional who brings both practical experience and strategic insight to the challenge of improving attendance across our catchment area.
You will be someone who:
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Educated to NVQ level 3 / 4 or equivalent.
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Driver’s Licence and access to a vehicle.
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At least one year’s related experience of work within a school attendance related service. Working with children, young people, parents and families preferably within an educational context - desirable
Has a strong background in education, or attendance work, with a clear understanding of the legal and pastoral dimensions of attendance.
Demonstrates professional curiosity, sound judgment, and the ability to manage sensitive situations with empathy and authority.
Is an effective communicator who is able to engage with families, staff, and external agencies in a solution-focused and inclusive manner.
Is confident in working independently, managing a varied caseload and building positive relationships.
Is skilled in interpreting data, producing high-quality reports, and using evidence to inform practice.
Holds a full UK driving licence, with business insurance included, and has access to a vehicle.
If you're ready to take on a role that means ensuring attendance is championed as part of every child’s right to a full, high-quality education then we would love to hear from you.
About The David Ross Education Trust
The David Ross Education Trust’s mission is to give every child attending one of our schools a world-class education.
We are a network of unique and diverse academies across the country, committed to delivering a world-class, knowledge-rich education that empowers pupils to reach their fullest potential. Spanning North Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, North-East Lincolnshire, the East Midlands and London, our network of 36 academies serves over 14,600 pupils and employs 2,300 dedicated staff.
Our family of schools includes 24 primaries, 10 secondaries, an all-through school in London’s Olympic Park, and a special school in Lincolnshire supporting pupils aged 2-19 with a broad range of special educational needs. As one of only 11 system leaders nationwide, we are recognised for our unwavering commitment to educational excellence, our innovative curriculum, and ability to drive sustained school improvement at scale. At the heart of our Mission is a deep belief in the transformative power of education. We are committed to ensuring that every child - regardless of their background - has access to an exceptional academic experience enriched by extensive co-curricular opportunities. From small rural primaries to large urban secondaries, our academies benefit from the strength of a collaborative, values-driven community, in which expertise is shared, best practices are embedded, and each school retains its distinctive character.
We broaden the horizons of young people by inspiring students to become their confident, academic best via an education that creates academically gifted, confident, well-rounded young people in the classroom, in the workplace and in their communities.
We are driven to provide our young people with access to a world-class education and enrichment experiences. Our students benefit from a wealth of opportunities to develop, learn and lead. From the classroom to cultural visits, sports, music and arts and engaging with our local communities, the rich and varied experiences we create help fuel ambition and unlock potential. The education and experiences we offer equips our young people with the leadership skills, team spirit, resilience and confidence to become outstanding citizens.
Whatever your role you will contribute towards creating a rich and exciting learning environment that also offers our students an unrivalled package of sporting and cultural enrichment.
We are incredibly lucky to be able to work alongside outstanding organisations and individuals who are happy to share their expertise and skills in supporting the David Ross Foundation's vision to give children better life chances through access to the best education and support we can give them.
Apply now
To complete our on-line application form, please use the ‘apply now’ tab.
Early applications are advised. We receive high numbers of applications for our roles and therefore have to close the vacancy prior to the closing date in order to review candidates' details against our job criteria before shortlisting or re-opening the vacancy.
The David Ross Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
It is our objective to ensure that job applicants and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential. We do not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of any protected characteristics.
The David Ross Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo vetting appropriate to the post, including a social media presence check and Enhanced DBS check. The successful applicant will be expected to adhere to all safeguarding, welfare and health and safety policies and procedures of the Trust.
All pre-employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education" statutory guidance.
