Family Liaison Officer

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Job Title:  Family Liaison Officer
Location:  New Barn School, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8HZ
Hours:  40 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am – 4.30pm
Salary:  £31,500.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Fixed Term (until September 2027) | Term Time Only
Start:  November 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Build Stronger Relationships Between Home and School. Help Families and Students Move Forward.

We’re looking for a compassionate and relationship focused Family Liaison Officer to join New Barn School on a fixed term maternity cover contract until September 2027.

You’ll be a vital link between home and school, building trusted relationships with students, parents and carers and helping families access the support they need. Working alongside school colleagues and external professionals, you’ll help identify and overcome challenges that may affect a student’s attendance, wellbeing, behaviour or engagement with education.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you’ll combine family support, early intervention and multi agency working with safeguarding responsibilities as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL). You’ll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference by helping families feel listened to, supported and connected to the right services.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Act as a trusted point of contact for families who require additional support, advice or guidance
• Build positive relationships with students, parents and carers, helping strengthen communication between home and school
• Support families with challenges affecting attendance, wellbeing, behaviour or engagement with education
• Carry out home visits and attend multi agency meetings, working with professionals to coordinate effective support
• Refer and signpost families to appropriate services, agencies and community support
• Work with school colleagues to identify barriers to learning and develop appropriate support strategies
• Promote improved attendance, confidence, resilience and positive outcomes for students
• Support safeguarding across the school as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, maintaining accurate and confidential records

About You

We’re looking for someone who is approachable, compassionate and resilient, with the confidence to build relationships with families who may be experiencing challenging circumstances.

You’ll bring:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to build positive and trusting relationships with students, parents and carers
• Confidence supporting families who may require additional guidance or intervention
• The ability to work effectively with external agencies and as part of a multi agency team
• A calm, sensitive and professional approach to potentially challenging situations
• Strong organisation and accurate record keeping skills
• A clear commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for students and their families
• A full UK Driving Licence

About Us

New Barn School, part of Options Autism, provides inclusive, nurturing education for autistic children and young people with complex needs across three sites. We deliver personalised learning, therapeutic support, and vocational opportunities tailored to each student’s Education, Health and Care Plan. Students learn in small, supportive settings that promote confidence, independence, and emotional wellbeing. Built on strong partnerships with families, New Barn empowers every learner to thrive and prepare for life beyond school.

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 students 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 students 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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