Education Welfare Officer

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU
  
  - Hybrid
• Salary: £28,598 per annum pro rata
• Hours: Various hours
  - Term time only
• Contract: Permanent

We are passionate about improving the future for the children and young people of Suffolk. If you are too, join us as an Education Welfare Officer (EWO) and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• Work proactively with pupils, parents/carers and schools to identify and reduce barriers to attendance, promoting improved educational outcomes.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with school leaders, safeguarding teams, social care, health services, the police and other agencies to coordinate support for children and families.
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, ensuring appropriate action and referrals are made in line with statutory guidance and safeguarding procedures.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and timely case records, reports and other documentation in accordance with organisational requirements.
• Champion a child-centred approach that promotes positive engagement, educational achievement, attendance and wellbeing.

Our ideal candidate will:

• be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Suffolk
• demonstrate a sound understanding of school attendance legislation, statutory guidance and the factors that contribute to persistent absence
• have knowledge of the social, emotional and environmental influences that can affect a child’s ability to learn and engage in education
• take a sensitive, inclusive and non-judgemental approach when working with children, families and professionals, with an understanding of the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, including those relating to disability, sexuality, gender and ethnicity
• be confident in providing both support and constructive challenge to families, schools and partner agencies to achieve positive improvements in attendance, wellbeing and educational outcomes
• possess excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively whilst maintaining a clear focus on achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.

You can view a full list of requirements in theJob and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘

How to apply

’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, even if you don't meet all requirements, please still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

• Our team plays a vital role in supporting children and young people across the local authority to access education consistently and confidently. We work closely with schools, families, and partner agencies to identify barriers to education. What drives us is the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive through education, and we’re proud to be part of that journey.
• Being part of our team means making a tangible impact on children's lives. You’ll have the chance to grow professionally through training, shadowing opportunities, and cross-team projects. We foster a culture of encouragement and curiosity, where your ideas are valued and your development is supported.
• We embrace flexible and hybrid working to support wellbeing and productivity. Our week offers flexibility to work remotely and engage with families in the community, alongside dedicated office time to collaborate face-to-face with colleagues.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report
.

For more information

For a casual conversation, please contact Sharon Everritt by calling or emailing: sor Angela Coote by emailing:

Closing date:11.30pm, 6 September 2026
Interview date:Week commence 14 September 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.#LI-Hybrid