Home Academy Liaison Officer

We are looking for a passionate and proactive individual to join us as a Home Academy Liaison Officer, based primarily at Harris Academy Morden and also working with Harris Academy Merton and Harris Academy Purley. In this rewarding role, you will help improve attendance, wellbeing, engagement and outcomes for vulnerable pupils and their families. Working in partnership with academy leadership teams, pastoral and safeguarding staff, families, local authorities, housing services, charities and other partner organisations, you will identify, support and advocate for disadvantaged students and families, with a particular focus on those experiencing homelessness, housing instability and other barriers to education.,

• Identifying and supporting students and families facing homelessness, housing instability and other barriers to education.
• Managing a caseload of pupils and families, providing practical support, advocacy and coordinated interventions.
• Building trusted relationships, acting as a key point of contact for students, families and academy staff.
• Assessing needs and developing support plans in collaboration with families, schools and partner agencies.
• Working across multiple academies to provide direct support and strengthen local practice.
• Coordinating early intervention and ensuring timely support for vulnerable pupils and families.
• Developing effective partnerships with local authorities, housing services, charities and other external organisations.
• Monitoring attendance, wellbeing, engagement and progress to evaluate the impact of interventions.
• Identifying trends and emerging barriers affecting disadvantaged pupils and helping schools develop effective responses.
• Maintaining accurate records and contributing to programme monitoring, reporting and impact measurement.
• Sharing best practice across academies and contributing to reports for senior leaders, funders and other stakeholders.
• Ensuring all work is carried out in line with safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and Harris Federation policies.
  
  Experience working with children, young people or families facing disadvantage.
• Strong relationship-building, communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including school staff, parents and external agencies.
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for disadvantaged children and young people.
• A good understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
• The ability to work independently and manage a varied caseload effectively.
• The willingness and ability to travel regularly between Harris academies.
  
  This role is term-time only, and is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The actual salary will be £35,534.27 (38 weeks per year, 37.5 hours per week)., Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:
• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans
Further details about the role