Job Description
Education Welfare Officers will work with families, pupils and schools to ensure regular attendance and make sure parents understand their legal responsibility. They will help families to apply for benefits for school meals, transport or clothing, give support to pupils who are experiencing any difficulties or behavioural problems and refer them to other organisations if necessary, they may also help to arrange alternative education for pupils who have been excluded.
Entry Requirements
You can get into this job through:
University
You could do a degree in social and human sciences, social work or education.
You'll usually need 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree.
Click here to search for a suitable course.
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
Direct application
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 or youth and community work.
Career Tips
You could get experience through youth work, mentoring or through Volunteering Matters.
You'll need to pass a background check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and have a full driving license.
You'll find more details about working in education welfare through the education welfare service of your local council.
Career Path and Progression
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.
Related careers you may be interested in:
- Counsellor
- Learning mentor
- Social worker
- Primary school teacher
- Secondary school teacher
Required Skills
- good communication and listening skills
- able to keep calm when dealing with difficult situations
- a good understanding of the law regarding child welfare
- an empathetic but firm attitude
- able to deal with sensitive issues
- good IT skills
Salary Range
£19,554 to £31,371
