About the role
Job Purpose
To work with vulnerable families to support their child through periods of absence from school due to anxiety/mental health and social communication difficulties. The objective being to improve a child’s wellbeing and self-confidence so they are able to access environments outside of the family home and on-line lessons initially, prior to returning to full time educational provision, with your support.
To line manage a team of up to three people who will be employed as support workers for our new bridging programme. The role will involve coordination of their workloads to ensure the pupils on the programme are effectively supported and support workers are working at their optimum level. This role is only suitable for those that are highly organised and effective communicators. The expectation is that the programmes for individual pupils will change on a weekly basis which will involve significant collaboration with, and the organisation of, others.
The James Marks Academy Trust supports a number of pupils across our three provisions Forest House, Roman Fields and the James Marks Academies’, the vast majority of whom have had significant absences prior to joining our Trust. Many pupils are able to access one of our specialist provisions fulltime and quickly within our typical six-week transition period. Unfortunately, some, especially those who have been accessing minimal or no education and/or parents are pursuing an EOTAS (Educated other than at school) package need additional support. Experience tells us that if we can re-engage these pupils with education, using our specialist teachers and intervention in the home and local community (which is where the successful applicant comes in) the vast majority of these pupils can and will return to full time education at some point. The long term outcomes for these pupils and their families therefore improves significantly.
Outreach is defined as taking group services into family homes, offering one-to-one support and encouraging families to access the support available within the Trust and wider community. Facilitating access to a network of professionals including teachers, statutory, private, voluntary and independent agencies.
We need a dedicated and experienced professional who has the skills and desire to lead a team of up to three colleagues, so collectively we can improve lifelong outcomes for these highly anxious vulnerable pupils.
You will be joining a creative and enthusiastic team who will support you to thrive in your new role, and achieve the job satisfaction most people want, but never obtain. We want a leader who will do the same for this brand new team.
The ideal candidate will have experience within a families first/ education and /or social care setting. You must be flexible, able to work collaboratively and lead a team. Excellent communication, numeracy, literacy and organisational skills are a MUST. We need an effective proven leader who is able to liaise skilfully with families, pupils, colleagues and various professionals.
If you require further details please contact Mandy Crow, CFO on 01442 256915 or email mandy.crow@jmatherts.co.uk. The application is available for download on our website: www.jamesmarks.herts.sch.uk.
Closing date for applications is 12th May 2025. Candidates are welcome to call and speak to the CEO and/or arrange to visit the school site. Please use contact details above to make arrangements.
Please address your covering letter of interest and application to: Mandy Crow
Applications Close: 12th May 2025
Interviews: Week Commencing Monday 19th May 2025
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