Family Liaison Officer
Sherwood Foundation School, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 7NP17 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
2 July 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
15 June 2026
Job details
Job role
- Pastoral, health and welfare
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: Permanent, Full time (Term Time - 38 weeks) plus 3 weeks.
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- NJC Pay scale: Grade 4 to 5, Points 7 to 15, £27,388.27 to £30,733.16 (prorated) FTE £32,070 to 33,987
What skills and experience we're looking for
Qualifications & Training
Level 2 Qualifications in English and Mathematics E
Relevant childcare, education, social care or health qualification to at least NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and/or considerable experience E
Up to date Designated Safeguarding Lead Training or willingness to complete this E
Training in a specialist area of parental support e.g. sleep training or a willingness to complete this E
Training in as a mental health first aider or a willingness to complete this E
Nationally recognized qualification in education. D
Experience
Experience of handling complex Child Protection. E
Experience of working with families of children with SEND E
Ability to deal with difficult situations. E
Working with families and delivering effective support for families. E
Evidence of experience of direct work with children and parents within a variety of settings and from a range of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds including those who may not have previously accessed services, ideally those with learning difficulties or special needs E
Able to set up and deliver programs of family support work including group work, community activities and training as appropriate to need. D
Knowledge
Safeguarding and child protection knowledge with up to date current practice through updates and refresher training. E
Training in community work, counselling skills, or similar. E
Training in facilitating parenting groups or experience of successful signposting. E
Thorough knowledge of statutory services and relevant children’s legislation especially child protection and safeguarding. E
An understanding of the complexities and issues the families of children with complex SEND, including those with learning disabilities and neurodivergence E
Knowledge of the education system and school attendance process. D
Understanding of child psychology and barriers to learning D
Experience
Ability to work with children and families in a variety of settings within school, at home or in the community. E
Ability to work flexibly and supportively with parents and carers. E
Ability to work in close partnership with teachers and other professionals as well as external agencies, voluntary groups and service providers. E
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with children and adults, individually and in groups. E
Be tactful, diplomatic and sensitive with a good sense of humour. E
Ability to take responsibility and work on initiative within set boundaries. E
Excellent organisational and time management skills E
Excellent oral and written communication skills including a sensitive approach to children and adults.E
Ability to keep clear, accurate records. E
Ability to maintain confidentiality. E
Be a confident and skilled user of ICT – able to use it with children and parents. E
Be reliable and trustworthy, able to use judgement in receiving and dealing with sensitive information.E
The resilience to deal with challenging situations involving parents under stress and Child Protection issues. E
Involvement in TAF/TAC / CIN / CP meetings. E
Able and willing to speak confidently to a range of audiences. D
Personal Qualities
Positive view of children and young people with disabilities E
Flexible approach to supporting children and families. E
Ability to maintain a professional manner in challenging situations. E
Confidence to challenge behaviour that is outside of our policies and procedures. E
Confidence to challenge other professionals. E
Commitment to self-development and willingness to undertake further training. E
Special Requirements
No adverse criminal record and full enhanced DSB clearance E
Visiting families in their homes is an essential requirement of this post. E
Flexibility in work patterns may be required sometimes. E
Able and willing to work flexibly as part of a team E
Full driving licence D
Car owner or access to transport D
What the school offers its staff
Staff Benefits
We know that to achieve our vision, it is our people who make the difference. We offer a competitive reward and benefits package:
- Enrolment in Local Government Pension Scheme
- Competitive Salary
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme via Vita Health Care Group
- Benenden Health - health care cash plan
- On-site staff parking (at two campuses)
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities
- Opportunities for career progression across three campuses
- Flexible working policies
- On site staff swimming sessions
- Access to school dinners
- Commitment to staff health & wellbeing
Further information about the job
Sherwood Foundation School
Family Liaison Officer
Salary: NJC Pay scale: Grade 4 to 5, Points 7 to 15, £27,388.27 to £30,733.16 (prorated)
FTE £32,070 to 33,987
Contract: Permanent, Full time (Term Time - 38 weeks) plus 3 weeks.
Closing date: Thursday 2 July at 12pm
Sherwood Foundation School is a Foundation Special School located in the London Borough of Sutton and made up of three campuses:
Sherwood Hill Campus
Sherwood Hill Campus is a specialist school for autistic learners aged 3–19 years who have multiple and complex barriers to learning, requiring high levels of support to access education and learning around their peers. Many of our learners may also have severe learning difficulties and/or struggle to maintain a regulated state for learning.
Sherwood Park Campus
Sherwood Park Campus is a specialist school for learners aged 3–19 years who have severe, multiple and complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This includes learners who have highly complex access needs resulting from their physical and/or health conditions. All learners require high levels of adult support to access learning.
Sherwood Manor Campus
Sherwood Manor Campus is a specialist school primarily for autistic learners aged 11–19 years who have moderate to severe barriers to learning. Most of our pupils can access a highly adapted formal learning environment with high levels of adult support. Some of our learners struggle to deal with the demands of an adult-led learning environment so may need a highly individualised learning offer to meet their academic potential.
We have high aspirations for all our pupils and we pride ourselves on putting the child at the centre of everything we do. Our curriculum ensures that our pupils, who come from a wide range of backgrounds, have exceptional opportunities to excel and access exciting opportunities in school, and beyond school, to develop their physical, social and emotional well-being.
All staff are expected to work across campuses when required. Candidates are welcome to indicate a site preference on their application form; this preference should be based on where you believe your skills and experience best align with the needs of the learners.
We are looking for a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) to work across the campuses at Sherwood Foundation School. The FLO will work in collaboration with all school staff, pupils and their parents/guardians, external agencies and others as necessary.
Be responsible for the organisation and delivery of high-quality support for vulnerable families and those in need of additional support. The role will encompass two key elements:
Improving outcomes for families by alleviating barriers to learning and improving communication and links between school and home.
Ensuring students are kept safe whilst at school under the support of the DSL and principal DSL. A key part of the role will be to act as Deputy Safeguarding Lead for Sherwood Park Campus/ Sherwood Hill Campus/Sherwood Manor Campus
If you feel you have the right skills and experience for this role and would like to apply, please submit your application form as per below:
TES website www.tes.com. Alternatively, please contact the SFS via email on recruitment@sherwoodpark.org.uk
Please note applicants must demonstrate how they meet all sections and subsections of the person specification for this role. Although you will be employed by Sherwood Foundation School. If you could please specify a preference as to which campus you think you would be best suited to.
Staff Benefits
We know that to achieve our vision, it is our people who make the difference. We offer a competitive reward and benefits package:
- Enrolment in Local Government Pension Scheme
- Competitive Salary
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme via Vita Health Care Group
- Benenden Health - health care cash plan
- On-site staff parking (at two campuses)
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities
- Opportunities for career progression across three campuses
- Flexible working policies
- On site staff swimming sessions
- Access to school dinners
- Commitment to staff health & wellbeing
Safeguarding Recruitment Statement
Sherwood Foundation School is committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are made subject to receipt of a completed application, satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check
For an informal discussion about the post please contact Human Resources on recruitment@sherwoodpark.org.uk
Closing Date for Applications: Thursday 2 July at 12pm
Interviews: Week commencing 6th July, 2026
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Sherwood Foundation School
- School type
- Special school, ages 2 to 19
- School size
- 183 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Sherwood Foundation School website
- Email address
- recruitment@sherwoodpark.org.uk
Sherwood Foundation School is a Foundation Special School located in the London Borough of Sutton and made up of three campuses:
Sherwood Hill Campus
Sherwood Hill Campus is a specialist school for autistic learners aged 3–19 years who have multiple and complex barriers to learning, requiring high levels of support to access education and learning around their peers. Many of our learners may also have severe learning difficulties and/or struggle to maintain a regulated state for learning.
Sherwood Park Campus
Sherwood Park Campus is a specialist school for learners aged 3–19 years who have severe, multiple and complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This includes learners who have highly complex access needs resulting from their physical and/or health conditions. All learners require high levels of adult support to access learning.
Sherwood Manor Campus
Sherwood Manor Campus is a specialist school primarily for autistic learners aged 11–19 years who have moderate to severe barriers to learning. Most of our pupils can access a highly adapted formal learning environment with high levels of adult support. Some of our learners struggle to deal with the demands of an adult-led learning environment so may need a highly individualised learning offer to meet their academic potential.
School location
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