Job Title / Family Liaison Officer / Reporting to / SENCo (and Principals)
Job Purpose / The role of the FLO is to assist in tackling underachievement by working in partnership with families, parents, carers and pupils in a school context to enable pupils, particularly the most disadvantaged, to have full access to educational opportunities and overcome barriers to learning and participation.
The FLO works directly with parents in a non-judgemental way, empowering them and their families to get the most out of the educational opportunities available.
FLOs will focus on work on preventative and early intervention activities.
To work as a member of the Safeguarding team, alongside the designated Child Protection Officers, and to be fully aware of Child Protection issues.
To keep staff fully informed of any issues that may affect children in their care.
Liaising With
(internal) / Principals, staff, and students and their families / Liaising With
(external) / Agencies, Social Services
Supervising / None / Contract / Full Time, Term Time only plus 5 INSET days
Key Responsibilities / To establish and foster good relationships with children, and their parents; actively encouraging parental involvement in the Academy and its activities.
To support the aims and objectives of the school and the engagement, learning and achievement of children.
To work closely with staff to promote good relationships between school and home; addressing common barriers including, for example, attendance, punctuality, poor behaviour, school induction (including home visits for EYFS) and transition.
To work closely with the SENCo and Counsellor in supporting the needs of vulnerable children.
To enable Teachers and Teaching Assistants to focus on the educational needs of the children. To provide appropriate actions for the children in school who are experiencing external pressures in their life and help them to gain full access to their education and maximise their learning potential (this is likely to include leading nurture groups/ pastoral interventions).
Share information on practical childcare and parenting skills, including how to meet the emotional needs of children (e.g. setting boundaries and consistent discipline). Promote the self-esteem and skills of parents/carers to help them to maximise their own personal and interpersonal skills, which will enable them to respond to family needs by communicating openly.
Support children and families with regard to personal difficulties and signpost to other agencies as appropriate. Co-ordinate and manage the day-to-day liaison between the school and other agencies involved with vulnerable children, particularly social services.
Promote parent and community engagement including working alongside and improving communications with representatives from local agencies e.g. School Nursing, Education Welfare Service, Early Help etc. Outreach with hard to reach groups or for particular specialist groups. Advice, information and representation
Promote equality for all individuals, recognising and encouraging anti-discriminatory behaviour, respecting confidentiality (unless there are child protection implications), recognising clients’ rights and choice, and respecting personal beliefs and identity.
Compliance, Restrictions & Enablers / Compliance with all policies and procedures of the Academies including, but not limited to:
· Health, Safety & Security
· Data Protection legislation and best practice
· Freedom of Information legislation and best practice / · Child Protection, including CRB enhanced disclosure requirements
· Equal Opportunities & Diversity
All staff should be aware of and adhere to
· Academy Policies and Procedures published on the Academy website and comply with their contents and raise any concerns in a timely manner
· Academy’s Child Protection policies and procedures, and to raise any concerns relating to such procedures which may be noted during the course of duty
· Applicable rules, regulations, legislation and procedures including the Schools Equal Opportunities Policy, Value for Money Statement and Disclosure of Personal Interest Policy, national legislation (including Health and Safety, Data Protection).
Academy Policies and Procedures are available on the Academy Website under Staff section.
The Family Liaison Officer will receive extra support by way of supervision which is an important safeguard for those who work in this area. Supervision and networking opportunities are provided by a network of Early Intervention-School Support workers across the county.
Job Title / Family Liaison Officer / Reporting to the SENCo (and Principals)
Education, Qualifications, Training
· Minimum of GCSE in English and Mathematics (A – C) or Adult Literacy & Numeracy (Level 2) (or the equivalent)
· NVQ in Work with Parents or Learning, Development and Support Services or equivalent qualification
· First Aid qualification
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
· Previous experience of working with children and families in the public, private or voluntary sector or working in a similar role
· Previous experience with inter-agency working – Health / Social Services etc.
· Good interpersonal skills.
· Good verbal and written communication skills (verbal, face-to-face, telephone, email)
· The needs of children of Primary age; child development and the ways in which children learn. Child care, parenting skills, parental development and healthy parent-child relationships. The range of potential barriers to learning for children.
· Working with vulnerable children/families
· Willingness to undertake further training.
· Excellent listening and observational skills.
· Organisational abilities and accurate record keeping skills.
· Ability to facilitate group and multi-agency meetings.
· Ability to summarise and prioritise lots of different information
· Some knowledge of special educational needs.
Personal Qualities
· Able to build effective and positive working relationships
· Organised and methodical approach to work
· Professional, discrete, diplomatic, including the ability to handle confidential information and material.
· Enthusiastic and committed
· Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
· Committed to personal learning and development
All employees are subject to Independent Safeguarding Authority check, according to current statutory requirements.