Family Liaison Officer and Attendance Lead

At OFG we believe in creating a better work life balance

Job Title:
Family Liaison Officer and Attendance Lead
Location:
Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2DZ

Hours: 40 hours per week Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm
Salary: £32,500 per annum (not pro rata) + Travel allowance
Contract:
Permanent Term Time Only
Start:
September 2026
UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

About the Role

As our Family Liaison Officer & Attendance Lead, you'll be the key connection between home and school, helping families access the support they need while leading on attendance strategies and contributing to a positive school culture.

Working alongside the Head of School, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Senior Leadership Team, you'll ensure statutory safeguarding responsibilities are met and that pupils receive the right support at the right time.

No two days are the same-one day you could be supporting a family through a home visit, the next attending multi-agency meetings, analysing attendance data or helping deliver safeguarding training to colleagues.

What you will be doing

• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils, families and carers.
• Lead on attendance monitoring, analysis and intervention strategies to improve attendance and punctuality.
• Carry out supportive home visits to help remove barriers to school attendance.
• Work with local authorities, attendance services and external agencies to secure positive outcomes for pupils.
• Support pupils and families through school admissions and transition into and out of the school.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, supporting safeguarding processes, referrals and child protection procedures.
• Attend and contribute to Early Help, Child in Need, Child Protection and Team Around the Family meetings.
• Maintain accurate safeguarding and attendance records in line with statutory guidance.
• Support the delivery of safeguarding training and provide updates to staff.
• Produce attendance reports, case studies and information for leadership and governance.
• Be a visible and approachable presence across the school, promoting high standards, positive relationships and pupil wellbeing.
• Provide classroom support or Teaching Assistant cover when required.

What you will bring

• Experience working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
• Experience with in pastoral, attendance, family support or safeguarding roles.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding legislation and child protection procedures.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with families, schools and external agencies.
• Experience managing sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy.
• Strong organisational, IT and report-writing skills.
• UK driving licence and willingness to travel for home visits and meetings.

Experience as a Deputy or Designated Safeguarding Lead is desirable, although training and development can be provided for the right candidate.

About Us

Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils, aged 5-19, who have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities.

Our School adopts a holistic, person-centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure that they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs.

At Underley Garden, we aim to make a positive difference to the personal, social and learning lives of the people entrusted to our care.

Located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.

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