Family Liaison Officer

Family Liaison Officer (The Keystone Academy)

Location: Shropshire, UK

Education Phase: Through School

Working Pattern: Full-Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Application Deadline: Monday, 7th July 2025

Interview Date: w/c 14th July 2025

About us

TheKeystone Academy is a specialist school for children aged 4-16 with Social,Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and difficulties. It bringstogether the vision of The YES Trust with that of Shropshire Local Authority,aiming to provide an excellent specialist school for students with SEMH,including those with neurodivergent needs.

As a newschool, we are lucky enough to have a brand-new building which has beenpurpose-built for our cohort's needs.

Our Vision

is tosupport all vulnerable learners, raising their aspirations through high qualityengaging education which empowers and liberates their futures.

At TheKeystone Academy, we believe that:

Learning should be exciting and purposeful

Every student should have the opportunity to reach their fullpotential, whatever that may be, regardless of their abilities, needs,disposition or background

Neurodivergence should be celebrated and seen as a strength

Nurturing the whole child prepares them for success and happinessin school and life

Students learn best in a safe and respectful environment

We can overcome challenges and achieve great things throughcollaboration

We believeour approach to education will ensure that all students leave Keystone Academyhappy, well-balanced, life-long learners who are well prepared for their futurebeyond school.

All membersof staff have a commitment and passion to deliver the best possible educationalexperiences, encouraging all students to dream big and empowering them to leadsuccessful and fulfilling lives, in a safe and protected, well-supportedatmosphere. Our aim is to reignite that love for learning that may havebeen lost at some point, through inspirational teaching and provision ofopportunity.

TheKeystone Academy will also provide the opportunity for you as educators andthose supporting education to make a real difference in an environment thatsupports your professional development.

I hope youwill want to join our team to help develop our school and create anaspirational environment for our pupils. Please get in touch if you haveany questions and I look forward to hearing from you.

The post-holderreports to the Headteacher or relevant member(s) of the Senior Leadership Team.Apart from team members, the main contacts of the job are: pupils and theirparents/carers; Headteacher and the staff of school; services and agencies fromwithin and outside the locality.

Main purpose ofthe post:

Focuson preventative and early intervention activities, assist in tackling anegative approach to school and learning by working with families, parents,carers and with children in school.

Liaisewith parents and carers to enable all children to have full access toeducational opportunities and help them to overcome barriers to learning.

Tocontribute to the delivery of and access to high-quality pastoral and educationprovision providing administration, documentation and written and verbalcommunication as directed.

Main Duties andResponsibilities:

Wherenecessary, arrange and attend home visits and develop excellent relationshipswith pupils and their families/ carers.

Developand enhance parental engagement with the school and other agencies throughoutreach, extra-curricular outreach activities and informal contact and supportactivities.

Takea holistic approach to education and reflect the importance of emotionalwell-being as central to the developmental and mental health needs of allchildren in their daily practice. Where appropriate working with the PastoralLead and School Mental Health Support.

Supportparents of children with social, emotional, health or behavioural challengesand work with them, school staff and other support agencies to preventpotential barriers to learning

Supporttransitions into school and to post 16 destinations.

Workwith families to develop parenting and communication skills to promote children'swellbeing, emotional, social development and physical and emotional safety.

Onreceipt of referrals from parents and other members of the academy team, talkwith children experiencing difficulties and liaise with families and the schoolas necessary to reflect the concerns of the child.

Ensureopportunities for all families to develop their understanding and knowledge oftheir child's learning needs and development.

Encouragegood relations and effective communication between families

andteachers about children's progress.

Workalongside teachers, parents / carers and children to support individualchildren's learning to prevent barriers to learning - working together to setclear and measurable targets to enable engagement and progress.

Targets will bereviewed with all stakeholders present at set times.

Takethe lead in preparing assessments and other relevant reports for the purpose ofFamily Support Delivery Plans and lead necessary meetings with all stakeholdersincluding the Headteacher and SENCo/ Pastoral Lead/ Attendance Officer.

Tosupport in the completion of essential documentation and other administrativepreparation as directed.

Toattend multi-agency meetings as necessary.

Touse initiative and good time-management skills to organise own workload underthe supervision of the Headteacher or other designated member of the SeniorLeadership Team.

Toensure accuracy and confidentiality of information produced within and used bythe service including child protection records - CPOMS where required

Safeguarding:

Allstaff have a responsibility to ensure that all school Safeguarding Policies areadhered to, at all times and that concerns are raised, in line with SchoolPolicy.

Acommitment to attend suitable training, to support safeguarding and health andsafety responsibilities within the school.

Attendanceat specific staff training sessions, or INSET days, in line with safeguardingand health and safety legislation.

NB.The post is a full time, full year role and there will be a requirement for thepost-holder to undertake work during school closure periods by prior arrangement.

Thesuccessful candidate would be expected to maintain a well-organised, creative,safe and friendly environment for living and learning and hence enhance theethos of the school. Candidates are asked to address as many of the personspecifications as possible in their application. The successful candidate shouldbe able to meet our safer recruitment requirements.

Very small class sizes

Fantastic classroom support

Shorter teaching day

Access to training and CPD including furtherprofessional qualifications

Specialist training where required

Cycle to work scheme

Flexible and supportive approach to work

Free lunch at school

Free parking(including EV charging stationson most sites)

Nursery benefits

Tusker car salary sacrifice scheme

Education Mutual -private healthsupport- access to a 24/7 GP, free face to face counselling,physiotherapy, nurse help-line, prescription service whenever you need it

Perkbox - vouchers, discounts and wellbeing

Flexible working - We recognise thatattracting and retaining the highest quality candidates means offering aflexible working environment. We consider a variety of flexible arrangements,including part-time roles, job-sharing, flexible start and finish times, andhybrid opportunities where appropriate. By adopting a flexible approach, weempower our staff to bring their best selves to work every day, fosteringcreativity, commitment, and resilience. Our teams remain diverse, motivated,and aligned with our vision of transforming children's lives throughworld-changing education. We believe that by investing in the wellbeing andprofessional fulfilment of our staff, we are also investing in the futures ofthe communities we serve. Candidates are encouraged to discuss flexible workingfrom recruitment onwards, in line with the statutory "day one right"principle, and ensuring equal opportunities for all groups of prospectiveemployees.

Desired Criteria

Experiencein a similar role

Furthereducation

Qualificationin behaviour or SEN

Understandingof statutory framework around school attendance

Experienceliaising with outside agencies and parents

Traumainformed training

Ableto deliver parenting skills training to small groups

Experienceof working with children and families as part of a team

Useof data management system/s e.g. Arbor

Apassionate champion of improving outcomes for children and young people, with apositive attitude and personal commitment to young people's development,education and attainment

Understandingof child safeguarding and protection

Grade4/ C or above in GCSE English and mathematics or equivalent

NVQLevel 2 or equivalent

Additionalqualifications as evidence of supporting children and / or their families

Abilityto establish and maintain positive relationships that generate confidence andrespect

Abilityto facilitate small groups of parents/ carers and children

Abilityto interact well with children and their families

Friendly,patient and approachable demeanour

Ableto use / learn schools IT systems and packages
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