Education Welfare Officer – Staffordshire County Council
Salary: £34,811–£39,481 per annum
Location: Staffordshire Place One, Staffordshire, England
Employer: Staffordshire County Council
Contract: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Full-time, not term-time only
Number of Vacancies: 4
Closing Date: 18 October 2026
Interview Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
Reference: staffscc/TP/59818/4805
Visa Sponsorship: Not confirmed in the vacancy advert. Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship should contact the council to confirm eligibility before applying.
About the Role
Staffordshire County Council is recruiting four Education Welfare Officers to join its Attendance and Inclusion Team.
The successful candidates will work with schools, families, local communities and the local authority to improve school attendance and support the welfare of children and young people across Staffordshire.
The role involves identifying barriers to regular school attendance, providing practical support to families and schools, and taking statutory action when other support measures have been exhausted.
Safeguarding is a key part of the position, with the successful candidates helping to protect children and ensure they can access a positive and consistent education.
All four positions are permanent contracts of 37 hours per week. These roles are not restricted to school term time.
Applicants should indicate their preferred district on the application form.
Key Responsibilities
The Education Welfare Officers will be responsible for:
- Supporting statutory action to address irregular school attendance, including issuing penalty notices, arranging consultation meetings and preparing court cases under the Education Act 1996 and Children Act 1989.
- Contributing to statutory duties involving Elective Home Education, Children Missing Education, School Attendance Orders and Section 19 provision.
- Holding targeted support meetings with schools to improve attendance and address persistent absence.
- Attending termly district meetings to share good practice with schools across Staffordshire.
- Supporting safeguarding activities, including child protection and child in need plans, while working with Early Help partners.
- Managing matters relating to child entertainment and employment licences.
- Maintaining accurate records and preparing high-quality assessments and reports.
- Developing specialist knowledge and expertise in relevant areas of practice.
Essential Requirements
To be shortlisted, applicants must demonstrate the following:
- Significant experience in education, welfare work or providing direct support to children and families.
- An NVQ Level 3 qualification, or equivalent, in working with children and families.
- A confident understanding of education legislation, safeguarding and multi-agency working.
Previous experience in school attendance work is desirable but is not essential.
Skills and Experience
The council is looking for candidates who can demonstrate:
- An understanding of how mental health challenges, substance misuse, domestic abuse and poverty can affect school attendance.
- Strong organisational and communication skills.
- The ability to manage a caseload independently and work effectively under pressure.
- Experience producing clear, accurate reports and maintaining professional records.
- Strong IT skills.
- A commitment to equality, inclusion and the wellbeing of children and young people.
- The ability to work collaboratively with schools, families and other professionals.
Salary and Benefits
The salary for these positions is £34,811 to £39,481 per annum.
Successful candidates will have access to the council’s employee rewards and benefits, alongside a working environment intended to support professional development and work-life balance.
Further information about employee benefits is available through the council’s careers website.
Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work
The vacancy advert does not confirm whether Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available for these positions.
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Applicants who require sponsorship should contact Staffordshire County Council before applying to establish whether the role and their circumstances meet the relevant requirements.
Do not assume that sponsorship is available solely because the position is a permanent, full-time council role.
Application and Selection Process
Applicants must complete the application form and provide evidence demonstrating how they meet the essential shortlisting criteria in the person specification. The supporting statement should also show an understanding of the responsibilities of an Education Welfare Officer.
Applications will be anonymised during shortlisting so that decisions focus on relevant information and experience.
The council offers guaranteed interviews to eligible applicants under its stated schemes for Disability Confident candidates, Armed Forces applicants and care leavers, provided the minimum criteria for the post are met.
The appointment is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check.
Closing date: 18 October 2026
Interview date: Friday, 6 November 2026
Interview location: Staffordshire Place One
Candidates who would like to discuss the role with a current Education Welfare Officer can contact:
- Keith Mellor: keith.mellor1@staffordshire.gov.uk
- Hayley Tonks: Hayley.Tonks@staffordshire.gov.uk
Please note that the council has an ongoing review of its Children and Families teams and working arrangements. The position may be affected by this review. Applicants can contact the hiring manager for further information.
How to Apply
For the full job description, person specification and application instructions, visit the official vacancy page below.
Source: Staffordshire County Council via WM Jobs.