Education welfare officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You could do a degree in:

• social work
• youthwork
• psychology
• education

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a college course before applying for a trainee position. Courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice
• Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an Early Intervention Practitioner Level 4 or Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

You'll normally have to be working with children or young people to apply for these.

They take between 18 and 24 months to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to work as an assistant welfare officer with a local authority and do training on the job to qualify. For this you'll usually need:

• experience working with children or young people
• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent

Volunteering

You can get experience of working with children, families and young people, which may help when you apply for jobs. Examples include volunteering in schools, mentoring and youth work.

You can look for opportunities through organisations like:

• Volunteering Matters
• Do IT
• The NCVO

DirectApplication

You can apply directly to become an education welfare officer if you've got relevant experience and qualifications.

Employers usually look for people who have a background in:

• social work
• teaching
• counselling
• youth and community work

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• sensitivity and understanding
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of English language
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Education welfare officers make sure that children attend school and get the support they need.

As an education welfare officer, you'll:

• work closely with school staff to identify and fix attendance problems
• meet parents and pupils at school or home to explain how you can help them
• attend magistrates' court when required
• arrange education for pupils who are excluded
• handle sensitive personal information correctly and update records

Location : You could work at a school or from home.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £30,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

36 - 38 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings attending events or appointments

Career Path:

With experience and training you could become a team leader, senior education welfare officer or a head of service.

You could also train for a career in social services, the probation service, youth work or pastoral care.