School Attendance and Welfare Officer – Primary School – Waltham Forest, London

Location: Waltham Forest, London

Start Date: As soon as possible

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

School Information

A supportive primary school in Waltham Forest is seeking a proactive and compassionate Attendance and Welfare Officer to join its pastoral and administrative team. The school is committed to helping every child access their education consistently and recognises that attendance, family engagement and pupil wellbeing are closely connected.

The successful candidate will work alongside school leaders, teachers, parents and relevant external professionals to monitor attendance and identify concerns at an early stage. The school values a balanced approach that combines clear expectations with appropriate support for families experiencing difficulties.

This position would suit an organised professional who enjoys working with children and families and is confident managing sensitive situations with patience and professionalism.

The Role

The Attendance and Welfare Officer will monitor pupil attendance, investigate unexplained absences and help the school implement effective strategies to improve attendance and punctuality.

Daily responsibilities will include checking registers, contacting parents and carers about unexplained absences, recording information accurately and following up on outstanding concerns. The postholder will monitor attendance patterns and identify pupils whose absence levels or lateness may require additional intervention.

The successful applicant will prepare attendance reports for senior leaders, maintain records of communications and assist with arranging meetings with families. They will work with teachers and pastoral staff to identify barriers affecting attendance and help coordinate appropriate support.

The welfare element of the role will involve listening to concerns raised by pupils or parents and ensuring that relevant information is passed to the appropriate member of staff. Where necessary, the postholder will liaise with safeguarding leads and external agencies in accordance with school procedures.

The role may also include supporting punctuality initiatives, maintaining records of attendance interventions and helping families understand the importance of regular school attendance. The successful candidate will need to communicate expectations clearly while remaining sensitive to individual circumstances.

Accurate record-keeping and confidentiality will be essential throughout the role, particularly when dealing with sensitive family information or safeguarding concerns.

Requirements

Applicants should have previous experience in school administration, attendance monitoring, pastoral support or family liaison. Experience working within a primary school would be beneficial.

Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with parents and carers are essential. Candidates should be organised, confident using computerised record systems and able to manage sensitive information appropriately.

The successful applicant must demonstrate patience, resilience and a sound understanding of safeguarding. Experience supporting attendance improvement plans or working with external professionals would be advantageous.

What the School Offers

The school offers an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to children's educational experiences by supporting attendance, family engagement and pupil welfare. The successful candidate will work with a dedicated team and help ensure that pupils receive the support they need to participate fully in school life.

Application

If you are an empathetic and organised professional who is passionate about improving attendance and supporting families, please send your CV for consideration.