Welfare Officer – Secondary School – Sheffield

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

A well-established secondary school in Sheffield is seeking a caring, organised and dependable Welfare Officer to join its wider student support team. This is an important role focused on supporting the health, welfare and day-to-day wellbeing of students, ensuring that pupils receive appropriate assistance when they are unwell, injured or require additional support during the school day.

The successful candidate will be a calm and reassuring presence within the school and will work closely with students, teachers, pastoral staff, senior leaders, parents and carers. You will need to deal with a wide range of situations professionally, from minor injuries and illness through to welfare concerns that require further action or escalation.

This position would suit someone who is highly organised, approachable and able to remain composed when dealing with unexpected situations. You will also be responsible for maintaining accurate records and ensuring that appropriate procedures are followed consistently.

School Information

This is a well-established secondary school in Sheffield with a strong commitment to academic achievement, student wellbeing and personal development. The school serves a diverse community and aims to provide a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where students are encouraged to achieve their potential.

The school understands that student wellbeing is closely connected to successful learning. As a result, there is a strong emphasis on ensuring that pupils feel safe, listened to and supported throughout their school experience.

The school has a collaborative culture, with teaching and support staff working together to identify concerns and provide appropriate support. The Welfare Officer will therefore have regular contact with a wide range of colleagues and will become an important part of the school's wider pastoral provision.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain high professional standards and demonstrate sound judgement when dealing with confidential or sensitive information.

Welfare and Student Support Team

The Welfare Officer will provide day-to-day support for students who require assistance during the school day. This may include responding to illness or minor injuries, supporting students with agreed medical needs and communicating with parents or carers when appropriate.

The role also requires accurate record keeping and effective communication with staff. Where a concern goes beyond the Welfare Officer's responsibilities, you will be expected to ensure that the appropriate member of staff is informed promptly.

You will need to balance a caring approach with clear professional boundaries and ensure that all procedures relating to student welfare are followed.

Key Responsibilities

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

• Responding appropriately to students who become unwell during the school day.

• Providing first aid within the scope of relevant training and school procedures.

• Supporting students following minor accidents or injuries.

• Recording accidents, incidents and welfare concerns accurately.

• Contacting parents and carers where appropriate.

• Maintaining up-to-date student welfare records.

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

• Ensuring medication and relevant documentation are stored securely.

• Monitoring students who require temporary welfare support.

• Liaising with teachers and pastoral staff regarding student welfare.

• Communicating relevant information to appropriate members of staff.

• Supporting students who require reassurance or short-term welfare assistance.

• Maintaining a calm and supportive welfare environment.

• Monitoring welfare supplies and reporting when stocks need replenishing.

• Ensuring welfare areas are organised and appropriately equipped.

• Maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive information.

• Supporting the school with health and safety procedures.

• Recording relevant communication with parents and carers.

• Supporting students with agreed individual welfare arrangements.

• Liaising with parents and carers professionally.

• Escalating safeguarding or welfare concerns through the correct channels.

• Supporting school trips and activities where appropriate.

• Working collaboratively with pastoral, administrative and teaching staff.

• Following all school policies relating to welfare, first aid, medication and safeguarding.

• Supporting the wider student support team as required.

Experience and Requirements

The successful candidate will ideally have experience working in a school, healthcare, welfare, first aid, youth support or similar environment. Experience working directly with secondary-aged students would be advantageous.

You should be confident dealing with children and young people and able to respond calmly when they are distressed or unwell. The ability to communicate clearly with students and adults is essential.

Strong organisational skills are also required because the role involves maintaining accurate records and managing several welfare matters throughout the day.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience in a welfare, healthcare, first aid, education or support role.

• Experience working with children or young people.

• Relevant first aid training would be advantageous.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• A calm and reassuring manner.

• Strong organisational skills.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to maintain accurate records.

• Ability to manage confidential information appropriately.

• Good judgement and decision-making skills.

• Ability to remain calm under pressure.

• Professional and approachable manner.

• Ability to work independently.

• Ability to work effectively within a wider school team.

• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.

• Commitment to student welfare and wellbeing.

• A caring but professional approach.

• Ability to follow procedures consistently.

Safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. 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 student-support professional who wants to make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of young people.

To apply, please send your CV as soon as possible. Applications will be considered promptly for an as soon as possible start.