Family Liaison Officer

Who are Fair Ways and what do we stand for?

Fair Ways is a leading children’s services charity based in the Solent, delivering Fostering, Education, Residential and Family services and cares for over 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults each year. Fair Ways is a great place to work. We are a team. We care about each other and are all committed to making a change to the lives of the young people and service users in our care. We will not apologise for calling our staff great, the best, or world-class. Our staff are at the core of our organisation and we celebrate them by shouting it from the rooftops!

Where and when do we need you?

To support the exciting expansion of Fair Ways education provision we are looking for a Family Liaison Officer to work across all our education sites. At Fair Ways we specialise in both, social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties and autism (ASC). Our students will have all been identified as having complex and additional needs and as such are better suited to 1:1 or 2:1 learning and will have an individualised curriculum based on their specific needs. Students are placed with Fair Ways when most other mainstream or specialist schools have been unable to meet their needs. As such, they are likely to have been out of education for a long period of time, having exhausted multiple placements.

The purpose of this role is to build and maintain strong relationships with the parents and carers of our students and in doing this you will be involved exciting and rewarding things like:

• Early Intervention - You will undertake home visits as part of early intervention, working alongside students and their families in their home environment to address any attendance and/or behavioural issues they are experiencing whilst at school. You will discuss what can be implemented at home to support and improve this, ensuring that students and their families are included in the discussion and planning around the support they require.
• Education and Support - You will provide education, support and training around the practical application and benefits of things like healthy routines and structures such as good sleep hygiene, consistent school attendance and healthy living. You will do this by working alongside students and their families ensuring effective collaboration and true understanding, providing support that is accessible, relevant and impactful.
• Family Engagement - You will facilitate face to face opportunities for collaborative engagement with students and their families. This will be done through the creation of development of parent groups such as coffee mornings and parent’s evenings etc providing in person support and engagement.
• Improving Attendance - You will provide remote support to students and families related to agreed attendance strategies. This will involve reviewing and implementing the agreed steps when a student is unexpectedly absent from school, working with families to identify the reason for this and how to support the student back in to school.
• Community Support - You will be responsible for ensuring we offer suitable and relevant signposting to community support groups and services. This will involve researching what is available for families within their local areas and the coordination, distribution and maintenance of relevant information.
• Recording and Reporting - To record and report on all activity and support given to the families accurately and within the required time frames using the relevant systems ensuring that all significant information is shared allowing proactive and statutory responses.
• Keeping Students Safe - To ensure that any safeguarding concerns or disclosures are reported within the required time frames using the relevant systems. All significant information should be shared allowing proactive and statutory responses in line with the charity's internal policies and procedures.
• Ensuring Effective Professional Boundaries - You will proactively maintain safe and respectful relationships with students and their families through effective support, guidance and care ensuring the maintenance of safe professional boundaries in line with best practice.
• Being a trauma informed professional - You will provide trauma informed responses and / or assistance during crisis situations through the individualised use of therapeutic and physical intervention to ensure staff and students are kept safe.

The working location of this role will be across the Fair Ways schools (schools are based in Totton, Eastleigh, Fareham and Swanwick) however the candidates work ‘base’ will be the school most local to them. Mileage will be paid for travel undertaken further than their working ‘base’ when additional travel is required. Successful candidates will be working a 37.5 per week, term time only. All candidates must have a full driving license and have access to the use of a car. Fair Ways are unable to provide VISA sponsorship for this role and all applicants will need to be able to provide evidence of right to work in the UK. Successful candidates will be required to provide an enhanced Disclosure (DBS). This disclosure cost will be met by Fair Ways.

You and your specialisms

Support roles within our frontline services help achieve our mission of making a difference through passionate care, support, and education. To support this, you will be required to have, or be working towards a minimum of the following qualification levels:

• Experience of working in a role relating to family engagement
• Experience of working within an educational environment
• The ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships and engage complex young people within an education setting.
• A secure knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding practices
• Minimum Level 2 English and Maths

Let us look after you!

At Fair Ways, we care about your well-being, here is what we currently offer to our dedicated team:

• Exciting Opportunities: Participate in free staff lotteries with amazing prizes, such as £1000 holiday vouchers, weekends away, luxury hampers, £1000 fostering referral scheme and vouchers. Experience a workplace that celebrates your contributions.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a Holiday Accrual Scheme and the option to purchase additional holidays (up to 5 days). We value your time and offer flexibility to accommodate your existing commitments.
• Health and Support: Benefit from Simply Health, our health cash plan, and access to our Employee Assistance Scheme, providing emergency financial assistance and 24/7 counselling services. Access your salary when you need it with Early Pay – The ability to withdraw an amount of your salary early each month to assist with any unforeseen circumstances.
• Growth and Development: Unlock your potential with our Education Grant, offering funding for accreditation up to master's level. Engage in leadership courses to enhance your skills and progress in your career.
• Wellbeing Matters: Experience team-building days, summer festivals, and well-being initiatives, promoting a positive work environment. Take advantage of discounted gym memberships and a cycle-to-work scheme to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Recognition and Rewards: Be appreciated for your dedication through annual Staff Awards and Long Service Awards. Build a secure future with our pension scheme and gain eligibility for a Blue Light Card.
• Supportive Community: Be part of our diverse workforce that embraces all communities. We value your unique perspective and encourage you to contribute to our inclusive and vibrant culture.

*Benefits may differ dependant on contract type.

Become a part of our community – We can’t wait to meet you!

If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to embark on an incredible journey, apply today and be a part of something amazing at Fair Ways. Join our team and help shape brighter futures!