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Schools Attendance Support Officer
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Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,
About The Role
We are seeking a dedicated and proactive Schools Attendance Support Officer to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to support children, families, schools and partner agencies to improve school attendance and reduce persistent and severe absence.
The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring children and young people access their full educational entitlement, with a particular focus on supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) where attendance is a concern.
Working collaboratively with schools, families, alternative provision providers and wider partners, you will provide both support and challenge to improve attendance, reduce lost learning and promote positive educational outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Local Authority in fulfilling its statutory duties relating to school attendance, including the promotion and enforcement of attendance and the reduction of persistent and severe absence.
- Assess and manage referrals relating to school attendance concerns, undertaking investigations and ensuring all cases are progressed in line with legal requirements.
- Prepare robust casework and evidence where legal intervention and court proceedings may be necessary.
- Work directly with children, families and education providers to identify barriers to attendance and develop effective solutions.
- Provide support, guidance and challenge to parents, pupils, schools and partner agencies to improve attendance and engagement with learning.
- Challenge and support schools, academies, PRUs and alternative provision providers to ensure children receive and engage with a suitable full-time education.
- Monitor attendance data, identify trends and take appropriate intervention action.
- Develop strong partnerships with schools, health services, social care and other key stakeholders.
- Take a lead role in supporting attendance improvement for children with SEN and EHCPs, ensuring their needs are understood and barriers to attendance are effectively addressed.
- Contribute to the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and young people.
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About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience of working with children, young people and families in an education, attendance, inclusion, safeguarding or related setting.
- Has a strong understanding of school attendance legislation, guidance and statutory responsibilities.
- Has knowledge and understanding of SEND legislation and the challenges faced by children with SEN and EHCPs.
- Demonstrates excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Can confidently challenge and support schools and other professionals to improve outcomes for children.
- Has experience of undertaking investigations, managing complex casework and preparing evidence-based reports.
- Is highly organised, able to prioritise workloads and manage competing demands.
- Has excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Is committed to promoting inclusion, safeguarding and educational achievement for all children and young people.
Essential Requirements:
- A relevant professional qualification and/or considerable (3 years +) experience in a similar setting.
- The ability to apply relevant knowledge and to the post applied for as a Schools Attendance Support Officer acting for the local authority (see job description).
- The ability to evaluate and report on data relating to attendance.
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Please note that an Enhanced DBS with Children’s Barring List Check is required for this role.
Why Join Us?
In this rewarding role, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and families by helping to remove barriers to education and improve long-term outcomes. You will work within a supportive team environment committed to inclusion, partnership working and continuous improvement.
Hours
37 hours Term Time
Closing Date: 4th September 2026
Please submit a CV and supporting statement to kerry_smotryska@sandwell.gov.uk before the closing date. (Please note the underscore between the forename and surname)
We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to their advertised date if we receive a large number of applications. Therefore, you are strongly advised to submit your CV as soon as possible. When submitting your CV and supporting statement, please refer to the supporting documents attached.
If you are an internal candidate and currently at risk, please let the recruiting manager know.
If you wish to apply as Care Leaver or a Disability Confident candidate, please make sure to state this when submitting your CV.
If you have a disability and require assistance in submitting your CV, please contact Kerry Smotryska 07816 535291
For more information about working for Sandwell Council, our recruitment process and our offer to you please visit https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/counciljobs
Click here to find out more about our One Team Framework: Values and Behaviours https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/WeAreSandwell/council/story
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