Family Engagement and Attendance Leader - Maternity Cover

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Job title: Family Engagement and Attendance Leader - Maternity Cover
Location: Groveside School, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 7AY
Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum depending on experience (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
Contract: Fixed Term - Until April 2027 Term Time Only
Start: April 2026
UK applicants only - this role does not offer sponsorship

At Outcomes First Group, we believe life is about more than work. That's why many of our schools are trialling a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW)-work one day less each week while keeping full pay. Now's the perfect time to join and put your wellbeing first.

About the Role

You will provide a professional, child-centred service focused on improving attendance, engagement, wellbeing and outcomes for our pupils. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Extended Leadership Team, you will lead on attendance strategy, EBSA interventions, family support and pupil induction and transition.

You will hold a caseload of pupils, work directly with families, and act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring that safeguarding, wellbeing and mental health are embedded across school life.

You will:

• Lead and implement strategies to improve attendance, reduce persistent absence and remove barriers to learning
• Work closely with pupils and families to provide early intervention, parenting support and emotional wellbeing guidance
• Manage EBSA interventions and support pupils experiencing anxiety or difficulties accessing education
• Lead pupil induction, transition, assessment visits and consultations for new starters
• Track, analyse and report attendance data, creating Individual Attendance and Education Plans (IAEPs) for pupils below 90% attendance
• Work collaboratively with external agencies, placing authorities and multi-agency teams, advocating strongly for pupils and families
• Promote a culture of listening to children, ensuring their voices, wishes and feelings shape support and safeguarding practice
• Support whole-school Mental Health and Wellbeing initiatives, including staff training and pupil programmes

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone who:

• Minimum GCSE Maths and English
• Thrives in a fun, fast-paced and rewarding environment
• Is an exceptional organiser and administrator, confident working with data and systems
• Has a passion for restorative practice and relationship-based work
• Is resilient, approachable and calm under pressure - with a great sense of humour
• Communicates confidently with pupils, families, staff and professionals
• Is creative, proactive and committed to bringing out the very best in pupils and families
• Is confident working with safeguarding processes and multi-agency professionals

At Groveside, you'll be part of a warm, dedicated team that values collaboration, growth, and creativity. Supporting pupils with complex needs is incredibly rewarding - and you'll make a genuine difference every day.

About Us

Groveside School is a Brand-New Special Educational Needs School for Pupils 7 - 16 years old with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. Our school opened in September 2024 and will cater for 60 pupils.

To the ideal candidate, Groveside School offers the following opportunities:

• To work in a school that is passionate about all achievement for all pupils.
• To work with fantastic pupils who enjoy a dynamic and engaging curriculum.
• To begin your journey with a strong induction programme tailored to your experience and needs.
• To engage collaboratively within a very supportive environment where professional development is an essential aspect of our daily practice.
• To develop your career.
• To be committed to creating exceptional pupil experiences and learning for all.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people's lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
  • 4-Day Working Week: Work 80% of your hours, get 100% pay

Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.