Welfare Officer – Primary School – Bristol

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

A welcoming and well-established primary school in Bristol is seeking a caring, organised and highly dependable Welfare Officer to join its wider pastoral and support team.

This is an important position focused on supporting pupils' health, wellbeing and welfare throughout the school day. The successful candidate will provide appropriate first-line support to pupils who become unwell, sustain minor injuries or require additional welfare assistance, while ensuring that relevant information is recorded accurately and communicated to parents, carers and staff when appropriate.

The role requires someone who is calm and reassuring while also being confident in following school procedures. You will work with pupils of different ages and needs, so patience, discretion and good judgement are essential.

School Information

This is a well-established primary school in Bristol with a strong commitment to providing children with a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in which they can learn and develop.

The school understands that pupil wellbeing is closely connected to successful learning. Staff therefore work together to identify concerns, provide appropriate support and ensure that children feel safe and listened to throughout the school day.

The school has a positive community atmosphere and places strong emphasis on relationships between pupils, staff and families. The successful Welfare Officer will become a familiar and trusted member of the school community.

You will work closely with teachers, teaching assistants, senior leaders, office staff and parents. The role will require effective communication and accurate record keeping, particularly when dealing with incidents, illnesses, medication or other welfare matters.

Welfare and Pastoral Team

The Welfare Officer will provide day-to-day support for pupil welfare and will act as an important point of contact when children require assistance during the school day.

You will need to respond appropriately to a wide range of situations, from minor injuries and illness through to more significant welfare concerns that require escalation.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain clear records, follow established procedures and ensure that parents or carers are contacted appropriately.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing day-to-day welfare support to pupils.

• Responding calmly and appropriately when pupils become unwell.

• Providing appropriate first aid within the limits of training and school procedures.

• Supporting pupils who sustain minor injuries.

• Recording accidents, incidents and welfare concerns accurately.

• Contacting parents and carers when required.

• Maintaining appropriate welfare and medical records.

• Supporting the administration of medication in accordance with school procedures and relevant permissions.

• Ensuring medication is stored securely and appropriately.

• Monitoring pupils who require temporary welfare support during the school day.

• Liaising with teachers regarding pupils' immediate welfare needs.

• Supporting children returning to class following illness or minor injury where appropriate.

• Maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive pupil information.

• Communicating concerns to senior staff or safeguarding leads when appropriate.

• Supporting pupils who may require additional emotional reassurance.

• Helping maintain a calm and supportive welfare environment.

• Ensuring welfare areas are clean, organised and appropriately stocked.

• Monitoring welfare supplies and reporting when replacements are required.

• Maintaining accurate documentation.

• Supporting health and safety procedures within the school.

• Following school policies regarding first aid, medication, illness and safeguarding.

• Supporting parents and carers with welfare-related queries.

• Working collaboratively with the wider school team.

• Supporting school trips and activities where appropriate.

• Contributing to the school's wider approach to pupil wellbeing.

Experience and Requirements

Previous experience in a welfare, healthcare, first aid, education or child-support environment would be advantageous. The school is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with children and understand the importance of responding calmly and professionally to welfare concerns.

The successful candidate should be organised and confident maintaining records. You will need to understand the importance of confidentiality and know when a concern needs to be escalated.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience working with children or young people.

• Previous welfare, first aid, healthcare or school support experience.

• Appropriate first aid training would be advantageous.

• Calm and reassuring manner.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Strong organisational ability.

• Good attention to detail.

• Ability to maintain accurate records.

• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.

• Good judgement and decision-making skills.

• Ability to remain calm under pressure.

• Professional and approachable manner.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Commitment to pupil wellbeing.

• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.

• A caring but professional approach.

Safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every pupil. The successful candidate will be expected to follow all safeguarding procedures and report concerns through the appropriate channels.

All required pre-employment checks will be completed before employment begins, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Application

This is an excellent permanent opportunity for an experienced welfare or support professional who is passionate about helping children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.

To apply, please send your CV as soon as possible. The school is looking for someone who can join the team for an as soon as possible start.