Cognus is about education – we exist to support schools, families, and children/young people to access, enjoy and thrive in educational settings in school and in the community.
Cognus is commissioned by London Borough of Sutton to provide a wide range of education services to mainstream schools and specialist education providers in Sutton. The Cognus Attendance Support Team has evolved and expanded in order to meet the revised duties of a local authority. Please see DfE Working Together to Improve School Attendance.
JOB SUMMARY
This role is part of the Inclusion service that provides support to children and young people, families and educational settings and reports to the Inclusion Manager.
The main purpose of this role is to ensure that children and young people achieve their full potential through the receipt of education that is suitable to their age, needs and developmental stages, and to ensure that Cognus, on behalf of the London Borough of Sutton carries out its duties in relation to School attendance.
CORE DUTIES
1. Holding an allocation of schools for whom termly Targeting Support meetings are carried out, using school attendance data to identify those at risk of poor attendance and agree actions for those pupils.
2. Provide communication and advice for the schools and trusts in the local area as per the allocation of schools.
3. Work together with partners across the local area in order to identify holistic support required to tackle the causes of absenteeism.
4. Work together with courts officer on legal intervention where voluntary support has not been successful.
We are looking for professionals who are passionate about the inclusion of children and young people in education and society. Individuals that enjoy a varied workload, are organised, creative, and have excellent people skills. Successful candidates will provide a flexible approach supporting attendance across the organisation and the local area. You will be expected to have the drive, resilience, and enthusiasm necessary for this important role, with a strong background in Education Welfare, Social Care or from within the education arena.
Whilst we continue to work in line with legislation and best practice, we are ambitious about developing the local area attendance agenda and are looking for individuals who are able to think creatively and flexibly about delivering statutory duties, while maintaining a focus on inclusive practice and the best outcomes for the children, young people, and families that we support.
The Education Welfare Officer will be expected to be a role model for the professional behaviours outlined in the company Code of Conduct and to demonstrate Cognus Mission and Values.
You will give us great commitment and in return we offer a comprehensive package including:
1. Starting salary at £34,406.60 pro rata (Cognus Band 3)
2. Workplace pension scheme 4% to 8% matched contributions
3. 28 days annual leave pro rata (plus Bank Holidays)
4. Regular manager support and supervision.
5. Hybrid and flexible working
6. Staff benefits package, currently including Employee Assistance Programme, Perkbox and (upon completion of probation) Sovereign Healthcare Cashback plans
7. Staff EDI group and Mental Health First Aiders to support wellbeing and inclusion
8. Cognus Coaching Programmes
9. An ambitious culture with friendly and supportive colleagues
If you are interested and would like to be considered for this role, please apply to recruitment@cognus.org.uk with the completed Cognus application form, outlining your suitability. In your application, include a supporting statement outlining how you meet the person specification and noting any relevant experience. CVs will not be accepted. The deadline for receipt is midnight on 12th January 2025. Interviews will be held on 20th January 2025.
At Cognus we recognise diverse talent comes from a range of backgrounds and experiences; this helps our organisation to thrive and better represent the communities that it serves. We would welcome any pre-application conversations to support a broader and more diverse range of applications to this role.
All offers of employment are subject to successful completion of recruitment formalities which includes an enhanced DBS check. These checks must have been completed prior to commencement of employment. We expect our staff to have due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to follow the child protection procedures adopted by the Company and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
1. To have due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to follow the child protection procedures adopted by the Cognus Limited, the School and Sutton Council’s Safeguarding Children’s Board.
2. To undertake casework and deliver best practice, advice, and support to schools, regarding improving attendance and punctuality in line with statutory guidance.
3. To deliver statutory duties in the promotion and enforcement of regular school attendance and child welfare.
4. Attendance at strategic multi-agency panels to provide best practice information, advice, and guidance.
5. To take a holistic and multi-agency approach to supporting attendance.
6. To effectively use data for monitoring of work including KPIs, evaluation and development.
7. Carry out any other duties as reasonably required.
COMPETENCIES
1. Have a good understanding and awareness of safeguarding children and comply with all Safeguarding regulations, policies, and procedures, including national guidance and local policy and practice.
2. Experience of managing a caseload of families and helping them overcome barriers to attendance at school or other barriers such as exclusion.
3. Experience of working in, with a working knowledge and understanding of statutory guidance in relation to school attendance.
4. Excellent communication skills, including presenting data and statistics in appropriate formats.
5. Strong organisation skills and ability to manage time effectively.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please send your completed application form to recruitment@cognus.org.uk. The application deadline is 12th January 2025.
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