Home School Liaison Officer interview, what to expect?

lexilex

I've just been asked to an interview for a home school liaison officer job. The interview is next week.

I hate interviews (that doesn't even begin to describe my fear!) and I am already starting to panic

I've got a couple of days off work now so I am hoping to start preparing, but I have no idea what to prepare. The job description is very vague and I am struggling to find much information online. I've had teaching assistant interviews in the past and I managed to find lots of example questions for that job but for this there is barely anything.

I am just wondering if by any chance there's anybody here who can offer advice on what sort of questions might be asked?

Thanks

squashy

lexilex wrote: »

I've just been asked to an interview for a home school liaison officer job. The interview is next week.

I hate interviews (that doesn't even begin to describe my fear!) and I am already starting to panic

I've got a couple of days off work now so I am hoping to start preparing, but I have no idea what to prepare. The job description is very vague and I am struggling to find much information online. I've had teaching assistant interviews in the past and I managed to find lots of example questions for that job but for this there is barely anything.

I am just wondering if by any chance there's anybody here who can offer advice on what sort of questions might be asked?

Thanks

I would say the role is likely to involve attendance and safeguarding, possibly behaviour/bullying etc amongst other things. You should familiarise yourself with the dfe guidance a bit, perhaps start here http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/guidanceandadvice/g00213160/working-together-to-safeguard-children
You should also check the school website to look at the ethos and attendance policy.

I would be asking what you would do to impact on results. You may want to talk about working closely with relevant depts and stakeholders, improving chances for disadvantaged pupils (look up Pupil Premium funding), better attendance = better wellbeing = better results etc.

lexilex

squashy wrote: »

I would say the role is likely to involve attendance and safeguarding, possibly behaviour/bullying etc amongst other things. You should familiarise yourself with the dfe guidance a bit, perhaps start here http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/guidanceandadvice/g00213160/working-together-to-safeguard-children
You should also check the school website to look at the ethos and attendance policy.

I would be asking what you would do to impact on results. You may want to talk about working closely with relevant depts and stakeholders, improving chances for disadvantaged pupils (look up Pupil Premium funding), better attendance = better wellbeing = better results etc.

Thank you so much, that's really helpful. The job is only part time so I think it's purely dealing with attendance issues. I did read about pupil premium funding earlier when I was looking through the ofsted report (they have a high proportion of students who they receive this for) but it's not something I have heard about before so will research that.

squashy

lexilex wrote: »

Thank you so much, that's really helpful. The job is only part time so I think it's purely dealing with attendance issues. I did read about pupil premium funding earlier when I was looking through the ofsted report (they have a high proportion of students who they receive this for) but it's not something I have heard about before so will research that.

Pupil Premium is money given to schools based on how many children they have on Free School Meals or in care. This is to be used towards assisting "disadvantaged" pupils in a number of ways, from a strategic level (eg it might even be funding the liaison post!) to buying breakfast for a child who hasn't eaten. Data shows that FSM pupils generally attend less and achieve poorer levels (don't flame me, it's data, and I know there are exceptions). I would say parental engagement is a tough nut to crack with certain families, many of whom have historically poor relationships with the education sector, so any ideas you have to get people on board with the idea of school will get them listening!

princessdon

Generally you will be given an inbox exercise. Ie you have 6 messages which to prioritise. Child protection is key (but remember IF in school they are safe till school ends). There will be a question on handling parents and engagement.

Know your LA triggers (lateness and absence).

Talk about narrowing the gap and know your statistics

Know the schools targets

Find out about other services - eg CAMHS, EWO, youth services etc as partner work will be key

Above all you link between social services and school

Read troubled family agenda

Know none educational help sources - ie police, benefits, clubs

Read up on ECM, educational targets, importance of attendance

State you are willing to home visit and lone worker policies

If I think of others I will add

Good luck

princessdon

To add the type of question is this (high school)

Gemma is known to have alcohol issues and her attendance has dropped below the 90%, what are your plans?

You need to know other services involved, what data is held by them, how to broach with Gemma and parents

Number 2 if younger child


Matthew is on CIN register, lateness often now absent for 3 days with no phone call so unauthorised absence.

Parents are disabled, Matthew is known to care for them and younger siblings.

How do you ensure he attends?


Ie younger siblings, check their attendance, parents needs, what help can Matthew get? What agencies help him return to school?

Just a few examples of questions I have asked similar posts to this one.