Family Engagement and Attendance Leader - Maternity Cover
| Posting date: | 27 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Up to £30,000 per annum depending on experience |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 26 February 2026 |
| Location: | Reading |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Acorn Care and Education |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 301393FAJ |
Summary
At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
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 #teamOFG 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.
#1
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 #teamOFG 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.
#1