Home School Link Worker

1-year fixed term contract commencing 4th January 2027 (with the potential to be made permanent) St. Leonard’s Primary School is a popular, growing school that currently has over 240 children on roll and a Governor run Nursery. We are a hardworking and committed team of professionals who continually strive to provide the very best education, care and opportunities for every child. At St Leonard’s Primary School, our vision is simple but ambitious: "Where everyone is valued and together we reach for the stars." Everything we do is underpinned by our core values of Care, Pride, Teamwork and Respect. We are proud to be a welcoming, inclusive school at the heart of our community, and we are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Home School Link Worker to help strengthen the partnership between home, school and the wider community. This is a newly created role, offering an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to make a lasting difference to the lives of our children and families. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to shape the role and play a key part in the next chapter of St Leonard's journey as we continue to grow and develop.

About the Role

We know that children achieve their best when home and school work together. As our Home School Link Worker, you will play a key role in developing positive relationships with families, providing early support where concerns arise, and helping to remove barriers that may affect children's attendance, wellbeing and success in school. You will work closely with families, school staff and external agencies to ensure that children and their families receive the right support at the right time. A particular focus of the role will be improving attendance and punctuality through supportive engagement with parents and carers, helping to identify and overcome barriers that prevent children from attending school regularly. The successful candidate will also help to strengthen St Leonard's position within the local community, creating opportunities for families to engage with school and fostering a strong sense of belonging.

Key Responsibilities:

Build positive, trusting and supportive relationships with children, parents and carers.

Promote the school's values of Care, Pride, Teamwork and Respect in all interactions.

Work proactively with families to improve attendance and punctuality.

Monitor attendance concerns and support families to overcome barriers to regular school attendance.

Provide early help and support where there are low-level family concerns.

Signpost families to appropriate services and agencies and support them in accessing help.

Carry out home visits where appropriate and in line with school procedures.

Work closely with school staff, safeguarding leads and external professionals to support children and families.

Work 1:1 and in small groups with identified children to help remove barriers to learning and attendance.

Organise and promote family engagement activities, workshops and events.

Develop strong partnerships with community organisations and local services.

Help strengthen the school's profile and presence within the local community.

Maintain accurate records and contribute to safeguarding, attendance and welfare processes.

The successful candidate will:

Have experience of working with children, families, schools or community organisations.

Build positive relationships quickly and communicate effectively with a wide range of people.

Be approachable, compassionate and non-judgemental.

Understand the challenges some families face and be committed to helping them succeed.

Have a good understanding of attendance, safeguarding and early help processes, or be willing to develop this knowledge quickly.

Be passionate about improving outcomes for children.

Work independently and use initiative while also contributing as part of a team.

Be organised, resilient and solution-focused.

Share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Embody our school values of Care, Pride, Teamwork and Respect.