Job Title: Family Liaison Officer and Attendance Lead
Location: Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2DZ
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8am - 4pm
Salary: £32,500 per annum (not pro rata) + Travel allowance
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
As our Family Liaison Officer & Attendance Lead, you'll be the key connection between home and school, helping families access the support they need while leading on attendance strategies and contributing to a positive school culture.
Working alongside the Head of School, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Senior Leadership Team, you'll ensure statutory safeguarding responsibilities are met and that pupils receive the right support at the right time.
No two days are the same—one day you could be supporting a family through a home visit, the next attending multi-agency meetings, analysing attendance data or helping deliver safeguarding training to colleagues.
What you will be doing
Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils, families and carers.
Lead on attendance monitoring, analysis and intervention strategies to improve attendance and punctuality.
Carry out supportive home visits to help remove barriers to school attendance.
Work with local authorities, attendance services and external agencies to secure positive outcomes for pupils.
Support pupils and families through school admissions and transition into and out of the school.
Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, supporting safeguarding processes, referrals and child protection procedures.
Attend and contribute to Early Help, Child in Need, Child Protection and Team Around the Family meetings.
Maintain accurate safeguarding and attendance records in line with statutory guidance.
Support the delivery of safeguarding training and provide updates to staff.
Produce attendance reports, case studies and information for leadership and governance.
Be a visible and approachable presence across the school, promoting high standards, positive relationships and pupil wellbeing.
Provide classroom support or Teaching Assistant cover when required.
What you will bring
Experience working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Experience within pastoral, attendance, family support or safeguarding roles.
Excellent knowledge of safeguarding legislation and child protection procedures.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
The ability to work collaboratively with families, schools and external agencies.
Experience managing sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy.
Strong organisational, IT and report-writing skills.
UK driving licence and willingness to travel for home visits and meetings.
Experience as a Deputy or Designated Safeguarding Lead is desirable, although training and development can be provided for the right candidate.
About Us
Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils, aged 5-19, who have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities.
Our School adopts a holistic, person-centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure that they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs.
At Underley Garden, we aim to make a positive difference to the personal, social and learning lives of the people entrusted to our care.
Located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
Hundreds of UK and international discounts
Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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Salary description
£32500.00 - £32500.00 per year