Job Description

Post: Director of Attendance and Safeguarding (non-teaching role)

Hours per week:It is likely that the hours of work will vary considerably, depending upon the tasks which the post holder is required to undertake from time to time. Hours required will be those necessary to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Weeks per year:52

Grade:L4 – L8

Accountable to:Senior Vice Principal/Principal

Accountable for:Attendance/Safeguarding/Management of the Specialist Support Team and dual line management of the Assistant Heads of Year/Management of allegations against staff involving child protection.

PURPOSE

  • Strategic overview of the Academy’s mission to raise attendance and punctuality for all students.
  • Strategic direction ofthe student support teams; to include welfare and attendanceand Assistant Heads of Year.
  • Lead on all Attendance and Safeguarding issues within the Milton Keynes Academy to ensure student progress.
  • Quality assure all systems and processes pertaining to Attendance and Safeguarding.
  • Keep abreast of changes in legislation pertinent to the role.
  • Contribute to the work of the Senior Leadership Team.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Management

  • Take a strategic lead on Attendance and Safeguarding.
  • Raise the attendance of all students, but especially the attendance of vulnerable groups, including persistent absentees.
  • Ensure that attendance systems work efficiently and effectively, and that all staff are aware of and fulfilling their roles according to the attendance protocol and are held accountable.
  • Manage and co-ordinate the work of the Specialist Support Team.
  • Train and line manage the Assistant Heads of Year in attendance and safeguarding aspects of their work.
  • Undertake the performance management of the Specialist Support Team.
  • Manage and lead team meetings.
  • Ensure that all staff meet the minimum training requirements for attendance and safeguarding.
  • Co-manage allegations against staff and to act as point of contact for the LADO.
  • Attend and contribute to Trio and Inclusion Management Meetings.
  • Undertake other reasonable management tasks as requested for the Senior Vice Principal.

Attendance and Punctuality

  • Ensure that mechanisms used to collect data for attendance and punctuality are accurate and robust.
  • Analyse the attendance and punctuality data forensically.
  • Devise compelling narratives and case studies to present issues to a range of audiences.
  • Devise and implement the attendance and punctuality strategies based on the data.
  • Ensure that Year Teams are trained, fulfilling their role in relation to attendance and punctuality and areheld to account.
  • Deploy and manage the Attendance Officer according to the priorities identified.
  • Rationalise findings in relation in relation to attendance and punctuality within the local and national landscape.
  • Deliver specialist training to identified key stakeholders at the Academy and beyond.
  • Engage with external agencies as necessary.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness/value for money of interventions for poor attendees and adjust strategy accordingly.
  • Report to and advise the Senior Vice Principal, Principal and Governors on matters regarding attendance.

SafeguardingChild Protection

  • Implement, update and promote Safeguarding policy and procedures.
  • Act as the main contact within school for the protection of children.
  • Provide information, advice and support to staff on the protection of children.
  • Provide advice to staff on supporting students who are distressed.
  • Act as a role model, challenge and motivate, promote and reinforce self-esteem and establish productive working relationships with students.
  • Support and raise awareness amongst staff, ensuring that every member of staff has read and understood the relevant policies and that they act in accordance.
  • Communicate effectively with members of staff on safeguarding issues.
  • Keep up to date with developments and understand the latest information on data. protection, confidentiality and other legal issues that impact on the protection of children.
  • Further develop good practice and procedures and challenge any areas of concern.
  • Establish and maintain contact with local statutory agencies including the Police and Social Services.
  • Train staff and implement a management information system, such as ‘My Concern’ for recording safeguarding/child protection concerns, maintaining confidential records of reported cases and action taken.
  • Liaise with the statutory agencies and ensure they have access to all necessary information ensuring safe transfer of records if necessary.
  • Ensure the Academy is represented atmulti-agency strategy meetings and play an effective role in decision making forums.
  • Ensure the Academy is represented at Child Protection Conferences and core group meetings.
  • Ensure the Academysubmit Safeguarding reports to the conference and any other relevant bodies.
  • Ensure the Academy is represented at court as necessary.
  • Liaise with the Senior Vice Principal and Governors for Safeguarding and Health and Safety.
  • Contribute to safeguarding and child protection elements within the curriculum.
  • Liaise with Human Resources over safeguarding in employment procedures.
  • Lead, chair and facilitate Safeguarding Meetings within the Academy.
  • Carry out home visits to students and families when required.

Looked after Children

  • Work closely with external agencies working with Looked after Children.
  • Establish and maintain positive relationships with the carers of Looked after Children.
  • Support students through an appropriate reintegration process, monitoring progress and action support as necessary.
  • Ensure attendance at regular reviews in relation to the welfare and progress of Looked after Children.
  • Delegate the attendance at Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings to appropriate staff.
  • Ensure accurate and confidential records are maintained.

Managing allegations against staff

  • Co-manage allegations against staff and to act as point of contact for the LADO.
  • Liaise with HR when necessary.
  • Meet with members of staff and advise as appropriate.
  • Liaise with other agencies if necessary.
  • Attend concerns or disciplinary meetings as required.
  • Lead and manage investigations as directed by the Principal.

Other

  • Identify,share and develop good practice within the Academy.
  • Fully implement all Academy policies.
  • Ensure that all involvement with students as well as other staff reflects the school’s inclusive ethos and its commitment to being a professional learning community.
  • Carry out duties in order to ensure the maintenance of a safe and secure school environment and to encourage high standards of punctuality to lessons.
  • Ensure that safe working practices are adoptedso far as reasonably practicable, and in premises/work areas for which the post holder is responsible, maintain a safe working environment for employees and service users. These are defined in the Health and Safety Policy.
  • Work in compliance with the Codes of Conduct, Regulations and policies of the school, and its commitment to equal opportunities.
  • Ensure that output and quality of work is of a high standard and complies with current legislation / standards.
  • Carry out other reasonable tasks from time to time as directed by the Senior Vice Principal/Principal

All responsibilities outlined in this job description are subject to review and change.

Director of Attendance and SafeguardingJuly 2017