Job Description

At OFG Education we give you time to enjoy those special moments and hobbies outside of work

Job Title: Family Liaison Officer
Location: Acorn Park School, Banham, Norwich, NR16 2HU
Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
Salary: £25,089.04 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent Term Time Only
Start: January 2027
UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

About the Role

At Acorn Park School, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that strong relationships between school and home can make all the difference.

We're looking for a compassionate, proactive and approachable Family Liaison Officer to become a trusted link between our school, students, families and external professionals.

This is a rewarding opportunity to work closely with families who may be facing challenges, providing practical guidance, emotional support and access to the services they need. You'll help remove barriers to education, strengthen family engagement and ensure students feel supported both at school and at home.

Working alongside our Pastoral and Senior Leadership Teams, you'll play an important role in improving attendance, promoting wellbeing and helping families build positive relationships with the school. From supporting new families before their child joins us to coordinating multi-agency support, your work will make a genuine difference to students and their families.

What you will be doing

• Build positive, trusting relationships with students and families, providing a welcoming and approachable point of contact for advice and support.
• Work with vulnerable families to identify challenges, develop tailored support plans and connect them with appropriate services.
• Liaise with external agencies and professionals, coordinate referrals, attend multi-agency meetings and undertake home visits where required.
• Support the Pastoral Team in improving student attendance, identifying barriers to learning and helping families overcome challenges affecting engagement.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, maintaining up-to-date training, accurate records and a strong commitment to student welfare.
• Support students' emotional wellbeing, confidence, independence and positive behaviour, working collaboratively with teaching and pastoral colleagues.
• Coordinate student transport requirements and contribute to the development and review of individual support and inclusion plans.
• Promote strong communication between home and school, helping families feel informed, included and actively involved in their child's education.

What you will bring

We're looking for someone who can build trust, communicate with empathy and remain calm and professional when supporting families through challenging situations.

You'll bring:

• GCSE in Maths and English at a level 5 or above
• Full UK driving licence
• Experience supporting children, young people or families, ideally within education, pastoral support, family services or a similar environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with families from a wide range of backgrounds.
• An understanding of safeguarding, child protection and the challenges that can affect student wellbeing and attendance.
• Confidence working with external agencies and professionals to coordinate effective support.
• A compassionate, patient and resilient approach, with the ability to handle sensitive situations professionally.
• Excellent organisation and record-keeping skills, including the ability to manage confidential information.
• The ability to work independently, use initiative and collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
• A genuine commitment to inclusion, student wellbeing and helping every young person achieve their potential.

About Our School

Acorn Park School is an independent Autism specialist school in rural South Norfolk supporting autistic children and young people aged 4-19. Set within a large 37-acre private estate, the school provides a safe, nurturing environment where students are placed at the heart of everything we do. We have two curriculum pathways, Formal and Semi-Formal, to support the wide range of needs and abilities of the students at the school. We have an integrated clinical team that provide a range of therapeutic approaches including Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Psychotherapy. The school benefits from extensive facilities including specialist subject spaces such as a DT room, Science lab, outdoor education space, animal care farm, horticulture polytunnels, and a commercial kitchen. Working in partnership with families, we empower students to grow in confidence, develop independence, and thrive as they prepare for their next steps in life.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 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.

OFG Education 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, OFG Education 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.