Lead Attendance & Student Welfare Officer – Secondary School

A welcoming secondary school in Hastings, East Sussex, is seeking an organized, empathetic Lead Attendance & Student Welfare Officer to manage daily attendance tracking and family liaison for an immediate (ASAP) start.

Attendance plays a vital role in this school’s pastoral strategy and academic achievement. The successful applicant will manage daily attendance monitoring, investigate unexcused absences, track persistent absenteeism, conduct home visits, and coordinate attendance intervention panels across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.

Working closely with Heads of Year, Safeguarding Officers, SENCOs, and local authority inclusion teams, you will maintain accurate database records on SIMS/Arbor and liaise directly with families to remove barriers to school attendance. This is a full-time, ongoing or permanent role.

• Monitor daily student attendance and punctuality records using school management systems (SIMS/Arbor)

• Conduct first-day absence calls, send automated family communications, and track unexplained absences

• Perform home visits and participate in multi-agency welfare meetings for persistently absent pupils

• Prepare weekly attendance statistical reports for the Senior Leadership Team and local authority officers

• Coordinate attendance reward schemes, student attendance panels, and return-to-school reintegration plans

• Maintain accurate safeguarding and attendance documentation in compliance with DfE statutory guidelines

• Immediate Start: Full-time, long-term or permanent contract starting ASAP

• Role Type: Full-time hours (Term-Time Only or 52-week contract option)

• Facilities: Dedicated pastoral offices, modern communication software, and supportive administrative teams

• Location: Prime Hastings location with convenient transport connections and staff parking

• Proven experience in a school attendance, pastoral support, or education administrative role

• Proficiency in school management software (SIMS, Arbor, Bromcom, or CMIS)

• Thorough understanding of DfE school attendance codes, statutory guidance, and safeguarding protocols

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills when working with families

• An active enhanced DBS check on the Update Service (or willingness to apply)