What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking for a dedicated and experienced individual to join Harris Primary Academy Merton, overseeing welfare-related duties and attendance data and working with at-risk students.
We would like to hear from you if you have:
• An undergraduate degree (or equivalent)
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft software
• Knowledge of Management Information Systems for input and export of student data for students on the SEN profile
• Knowledge of SEN
• Knowledge of the range of agencies that work with students and their families
• Training in child protection and safeguarding procedures
• Basic knowledge of first aid; e.g. emergency first aid course
• Basic knowledge of a range of special needs terms and their meanings
• Knowledge of many of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Three years' experience of working in an inner city school or educational establishment
• Experience of setting up multi agency meetings, taking and circulating minutes as appropriate.
• Experience of managing SEN administration
• Experience in a similar role
• Experience of working with young people with learning needs
• Experience of working with young people with challenging behaviour
For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.
What the school offers its staff
Harris Primary Academy Merton opened in 2014 as a local school for children aged two to eleven. We have a Nursery for 60 children and are a 2 form entry school for children in Pre School through to Year 6. We also have an additional resource base for 22 children who are diagnosed with Autism. Our belief is that children thrive when they are consistently happy and safe at school and that through expert teaching and support all pupils can achieve to a high standard. As a part of the Harris Federation, we share best teaching practice with other Harris Academies and continue to build on the Harris Federation's proven track record in the borough: with two successful and oversubscribed Harris Secondary Academies, Harris Academy Merton and Harris Academy Morden.
Our aim at Harris Primary Academy Merton is to make sure that our pupils leave us thoroughly prepared for secondary school and feeling that they have succeeded both academically and in the extracurricular aspects of Academy life.
We want all of our children to have a truly enjoyable experience at school. Our pupils' achievements are celebrated every day in their lessons and we are proud that they are kind, caring, self-assured and eager to learn.
Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.
We also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.
Further details about the role
In this rewarding and varied role, you will:
• Maintain the register of vulnerable students, including looked after students, those on the child protection register, refugees, YOT or children identified as being in need
• Organise meetings as appropriate for vulnerable students
• Assist in home visits
• Administer correspondence and collate information for students who are attending respite or off-site provision
• Organise PSP review meetings
• Communicate effectively with external agencies including possible alternative providers
• Ensure effective communication/consultation with parents
• Provide and maintain communication links with medical, social, and other external agencies
• The preparation of reports and records relating to student referrals and subsequent counselling or support
• Represent the academy at case conferences
• Manage a caseload of ‘at risk' students, where attendance falls below 85% and implement strategies to improve attendance
• Monitor the attendance of most vulnerable students at the academy
• Liaise with the local authority when cases of poor attendance reach the level of legal intervention
• Manage the process of addressing poor attendance across the academy
• Liaise with Academy Leadership Group to address any attendance or welfare concerns
• Oversee registers during the morning and afternoon
Commitment to safeguarding
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.