Pupil Wellbeing & Engagement Lead

Pupil Wellbeing and Engagement Lead

The Heights Academy

Auckland Drive

Solihull

B36 0DD

Forward Education Trust is an established Multi-Academy Trust of six special schools based in the West Midlands, covering areas in Sandwell and Birmingham. We are delighted to be adding a seventh to the trust in 2023 and having our first school in Solihull.

The Heights Academy will open in September 2023 in a brand-new build, and this is a unique and exciting opportunity to be part of the next stage of the journey. Initially we will open to 48 pupils in Key Stage 2 and Year 7, but over time, will grow to cater for 116 pupils across Key Stage 2, 3 and 4. All of our pupils will have an EHCP with a diagnosis of Autism many will have associated SEMH needs; they will be working at, or close to, age related expectations.

The Heights values aim to develop:

• Successful learners
• Respectful citizens
• Confident individuals

We are looking for a highly effective, creative, and inspirational Pupil Wellbeing and Engagement Lead to join us who will be highly skilled, enthusiastic and motivated to help our students develop and reach their full potential.

The successful candidate will:

• Have previous experience and skills working with children with SEND, including autism.
• Have experience of supporting and promoting the wellbeing and engagement of pupils.
• Be passionate about achieving the best outcomes for young people with autism

We can offer you:

• A commitment to support you in developing new skills through a wide range of professional development opportunities and experiences.
• The opportunity to make a huge contribution to the education and lives of children who respond very positively to high quality teaching and support.
• A friendly and inclusive working environment.

You will offer us:

• Your considerable skill as an outstanding practitioner who has experience of working with children with special educational needs.
• Your commitment to engaging and inspiring our pupils, and the ability to make a real difference to their learning and general well-being.
• Your flexibility, commitment and excellent interpersonal skills.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE: 

The Pupil Wellbeing and Engagement Lead, under the direction of the Headteacher and Trust Safeguarding Lead, will be responsible for promoting positive behaviour and supporting the welfare of pupils and families at The Heights Academy, in line with the vision and values of the school and Forward Education Trust.

The key aspects of this role are to:

• To monitor, encourage, guide and support pupils’ wellbeing and behaviour at school, ensuring that they can achieve the best possible outcomes by removing the barriers to learning, working with SLT to ensure readiness to learn and that academic achievement is maximised.

• To be one of the school’s Deputy DSLs, taking responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of pupils within the school.

• To work closely with families to remove barriers to learning and education. To provide advice, guidance, and signposting to enable families to access universal and targeted services.
• Lead and develop the implementation of differentiated strategies for pupils who need support to engage with their learning, both 1:1 and group interventions.

REPORT TO: Headteacher

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities

Safeguarding

• To report to the senior leadership team (DSLs) on progress and activity around Early Help and work with vulnerable families.
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
• Once trained, act as a deputy DSL for the school
• To investigates and concerns raised in school about the safety of a child in line with the school’s procedures and local and national guidance.
• To be responsible for the admin and monitoring of safeguarding records within the school’s agreed systems.
• To attend case conferences, Child Protection and Child in Need meetings.
• Work effectively with Designated Safeguarding Leads and other School Leaders to ensure a culture of vigilance exists in the school and all protocols regarding child protection & safeguarding are adhered to.
• Provide and/or contribute to reports for school leaders and local academy councils.
• To lead whole school training on safeguarding

Wellbeing and behaviour support

• To support the day-to-day management of pupil wellbeing and behaviour across the school.
• To be responsible for the admin and monitoring of the school’s behaviour records and manage the Class Dojo reward system to ensure that positive behaviour is promoted and rewarded appropriately in line with school policy.
• To analyse behaviour and engagement data and use this proactively to inform future, targeted interventions for pupils who require additional support.
• To provide support and advice to staff in relation to promoting inclusion, behaviour and welfare.
• Lead and monitor the development and implementation of additional strategies for pupils who have become disengaged from their learning.
• Establish a productive working relationship with pupils, always acting as a role model.
• To facilitate reflection time with the class team and pupils where appropriate.

Working with families

• To support SLT with the review attendance data and develop strategies to improve this.
• To liaise directly with parents with regards to behavioural and well-being issues, leading meetings where necessary.
• To act as a point of contact for parents/carers in ned of support.
• To work with the school on early identification of families in order to assist them in seeking the most appropriate support, through appropriate strategies and/or signposting to other agencies.
• To act as the school based Early Help lead professional for families.
• To provide feedback to pupils, families and other stake holders about progress, achievement, behaviour and attendance.
• To design activities and workshops to support parents/families.
• Conduct home visits where necessary.

Working with colleagues and external agencies

• To work with the Trust Safeguarding Lead to develop proactive outreach, support and intervention work with vulnerable families.
• Establish links with partner agencies and liaise directly with appropriate services (supporting the SENCO) both internal and external, including services relating to aspects of a pastoral and behavioural nature.
• To refer, when appropriate, to external agencies.

Record Keeping and training

• To report to SLT on a regular basis with data regarding pupil wellbeing and engagement and evidence of the impact of interventions.
• Undertake relevant training in order to comply with the requirements of the post.
• Participate in arrangements for own further training and professional development.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and awareness of current legislation and initiatives related to the role.

General

• Support the wider social and personal development of students by promoting co-operative values.
• To play an active part in the life of the school community, supporting the school’s vision, ethos and principles.
• To support break time and lunch time by modelling positive social interactions.
• Where necessary, support off site activities and educational visits.
• Demonstrate that you are an effective professional who challenges and supports all pupils and staff to do their best through being respectful and professional, engaging and motivating, by inspiring trust and confidence.

• Demonstrate commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

• Contribute to the overall ethos and aims of the school.
• Work effectively with Designated Safeguarding Leads and other School Leaders to ensure a culture of vigilance exists in the school and all protocols regarding child protection & safeguarding are adhered to.
• Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required.
• To comply with any reasonable request from the Headteacher to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
• Provide guidance and support to other staff with regards to supporting pupil wellbeing and engagement.
• Be responsible for the line management of any staff as directed by the Headteacher

ANNUAL LEAVE

This post is term time only plus 4 weeks

REVIEW AND AMENDMENT

This job description is normally subject to annual review. It may be amended at the request of the CEO and/or Headteacher or the post holder but only after full consultation with the post holder.

This job description is current at the date shown.  It will be reviewed at least annually and, in consultation with you, it may be changed to reflect or anticipate changes in the job commensurate with the grade and job title.

The role has recently been independently evaluated in respect of responsibilities and pay range.

To apply:

For more information, and to request an application pack, please contact Jodie Massie at Hays Education on:

T: 0333 010 2667

E: FET@hays.com

Applications

To apply, please complete an application form and email it to recruitment@fet.ac

The Trust may review applications upon receipt and may call applicants for interview prior to the advert closing date. Therefore, you are encouraged to make an early application for this role and we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date.

Please note that only fully completed Forward Education Trust Application forms will be accepted; we will not read accompanying Curriculum Vitae (CV) or accept them in place of an application form.

If you do not hear from the school within 14 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. The successful applicants will require an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to relevant pre-employment checks.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020

This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.

 Forward Education Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate must promote this ethos.