People who work in schools - family advisor

People who work in schools

family support adviser

Poll

Rate your knowledge of Family Support Advisors (5 being great)

• five

• four

• three

• two

• one

Job description

Family support advisers (sometimes known as education welfare officers or parent support advisers) work with schools, pupils and families to overcome barriers to help parents and carers support their children’s learning. One of these barriers may be attendance, so this job is often linked to the school attendance officer role.

Responsibilities

Meeting with school staff, children and families to identify problems and possible solutions

Helping families to decide on strategies and support plans to work on issues, and making sure they have the help they need

Making home visits or meeting pupils and parents in school to provide ongoing support

Doing administrative tasks such as writing up case notes, sending letters to parents and preparing

Open Ended

What knowledge and skills do you think a family advisor needs?

Knowledge and Skills

• good listening skills and an understanding of common family problems

• the ability to deal with private information and sensitive issues

• a calm and confident approach in difficult situations

• the ability to work well with children, families, teachers and other professionals

• an understanding of the law about education and keeping children safe

• teamwork and networking skills to work with a range of other agencies

Open Ended

What are some of the reasons that children might not attend school?

Job Advert (currently online with Somerset County Council)

We are recruiting for a Parent & Family Support Adviser in Yeovil. 15 hours per week.

Working arrangements to be agreed. Temporary in the first instance depending on funding

TERM TIME ONLY Grade 12 point 12-19

Actual Salary £7471 – £8582

There are not specific qualifications required, successful experience of working in schools and working with families is the most imprtant factor.

Poll

Would you like to be a family support advisor in the future?

• yes

• no

• maybe

Local example of a PFSA (parent and family support advisor)

https://www.puriton.somerset.sch.uk/Parents/Parent-Family-Support-Advisor-PFSA/