Welfare Officer - Independent Secondary School - Wandsworth

Welfare Officer – Independent Secondary School – Wandsworth

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Paid to scale

School Information

This is a well-established Independent Secondary School in Wandsworth , providing a broad and ambitious education for students across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

The school has a strong focus on student wellbeing, safeguarding and personal development alongside academic achievement. Students are encouraged to become confident, responsible and independent young people.

The school has a dedicated pastoral and welfare structure, with staff working collaboratively to identify concerns and provide appropriate support.

The school recognises that students may experience a range of personal, social or emotional challenges that can affect their education. Its welfare provision is designed to ensure that students have access to appropriate guidance and support within a safe and professional environment.

Welfare Officer Role

The school is seeking an experienced and compassionate Welfare Officer to join its pastoral team.

The successful candidate will provide day-to-day welfare support to students and act as an important point of contact for pupils who require additional assistance.

You will monitor welfare concerns, maintain appropriate records and communicate with relevant staff, parents and external professionals where necessary.

The successful candidate must be approachable and supportive while maintaining clear professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day welfare support to students.

• Act as a professional point of contact for pupils.

• Listen to students and provide appropriate practical support.

• Identify and report welfare concerns.

• Monitor individual students receiving welfare support.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records.

• Communicate concerns to pastoral and safeguarding staff.

• Work closely with Heads of Year.

• Liaise with parents and carers where appropriate.

• Support students experiencing difficulties affecting their education.

• Monitor welfare-related attendance concerns.

• Support students returning following periods of absence.

• Assist with individual welfare plans.

• Attend student welfare meetings.

• Work with external professionals when appropriate.

• Follow safeguarding procedures.

• Escalate concerns to the appropriate staff member.

• Support wider student wellbeing initiatives.

• Promote positive relationships throughout the school.

• Maintain professional boundaries.

• Handle sensitive information appropriately.

• Support pastoral staff with administration.

• Maintain records of interventions.

• Contribute to an inclusive and supportive environment.

• Work collaboratively with teaching and support staff.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will have previous experience working with children or young people in a welfare, pastoral, education, youth, healthcare or community environment.

You should have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to establish positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

The role requires patience, discretion and the ability to remain calm when dealing with sensitive circumstances.

You should also have strong organisational skills and be confident maintaining confidential records.

Requirements

• Previous experience working with children or young people.

• Welfare, pastoral or student-support experience.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong organisational skills.

• Understanding of safeguarding.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Professional and approachable manner.

• Ability to remain calm under pressure.

• Strong professional boundaries.

• Good IT and administrative skills.

• Ability to communicate with parents and carers.

• Ability to work collaboratively.

• Commitment to student welfare and inclusion.

What the School Offers

• Full-time, permanent position.

• Professional independent-school environment.

• Established pastoral and welfare structure.

• Supportive leadership team.

• Collaborative staff culture.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Modern facilities.

• Varied student-support responsibilities.

• Opportunity to make a direct contribution to student wellbeing.

Application

To apply for the Welfare Officer position, please send your CV as soon as possible.