Attendance Officer

For every journey, let’s take first steps together.

At First Steps Together, we believe every child and young person deserves to feel safe, supported, included and able to succeed.

We are a growing group of specialist independent schools supporting children and young people with SEND, SEMH and complex presentations. We create calm, consistent and inclusive environments where strong relationships, high expectations and personalised support help pupils overcome barriers and engage successfully in education.

As our Education provision grows, we are looking for a proactive and organised Attendance Officer to support pupil attendance, engagement and the effective administration of attendance procedures within the school.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day administration and monitoring of pupil attendance, ensuring registers are accurate, unexplained absences are followed up promptly and attendance concerns are identified and escalated appropriately.

You’ll work closely with pupils, parents and carers to understand barriers to attendance, including emotional, sensory, health and family-related circumstances. You’ll support personalised attendance plans, coordinate meetings and interventions, and help pupils overcome challenges to accessing education.

You’ll monitor and analyse attendance and punctuality data, identifying patterns of persistent or severe absence and producing accurate reports to support school leaders in improving attendance.

You’ll also liaise with local authorities and other external professionals, supporting statutory reporting, referrals and attendance interventions in line with Department for Education guidance and school procedures.

Working alongside pastoral, SEND and teaching colleagues, you'll help ensure attendance support is inclusive, relational and responsive to each pupil's individual needs, while recognising and escalating any safeguarding concerns.

Bring your difference

We’re looking for someone with experience in an administrative, school or pupil-facing support role, with strong organisational skills, attention to detail and confidence using electronic records and information systems.

You’ll be able to communicate effectively with pupils, families, colleagues and external professionals, including when discussing sensitive attendance concerns. You'll be confident analysing information, identifying emerging issues and maintaining accurate, confidential records.

You’ll bring empathy, patience and a proactive, solution-focused approach, combining positive relationships with clear expectations and a commitment to improving attendance and pupil outcomes.

Previous experience of school attendance administration, Arbor or other school information systems, and supporting pupils with SEND or SEMH would be an advantage.

Why First Steps Together?

You’ll join a supportive and growing specialist education group in a rewarding school-based, term-time role where you'll play an important part in helping pupils access and engage in education.

We’ll provide comprehensive induction and ongoing support, alongside training and development in attendance, safeguarding, SEND and pastoral practice, with opportunities for continued professional development and career progression.

Bring your difference. Take your next step with First Steps Together.

Safeguarding

First Steps Together is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment to this role will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment and pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS, satisfactory references, online checks and overseas police checks where required.

How To Apply

Please download and complete the attached application form.

Once completed, please send your application form to recruitment@fstmanagement.uk prior to the application closing date.

We reserve the right to close applications earlier should be receive a number of suitable applications which meet the essential criteria. We will not accept CVs in place of completed application forms.