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Education welfare officer

Alternative titles for this job include School welfare officer, school attendance officer

Education welfare officers make sure that children attend school and get the support they need.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£32,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

evenings attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Education welfare officer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You could do a degree in:

  • social work
  • youthwork
  • psychology
  • education

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could take a college course before applying for a trainee position. Courses include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice
  • Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an Early Intervention Practitioner Level 4 or Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

You'll normally have to be working with children or young people to apply for these.

They take between 18 and 24 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You may be able to work as an assistant welfare officer with a local authority and do training on the job to qualify. For this you'll usually need:

  • experience working with children or young people
  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent

Volunteering

You can get experience of working with children, families and young people, which may help when you apply for jobs. Examples include volunteering in schools, mentoring and youth work.

You can look for opportunities through organisations like:

Direct Application

You can apply directly to become an education welfare officer if you've got relevant experience and qualifications.

Employers usually look for people who have a background in:

  • social work
  • teaching
  • counselling
  • youth and community work

More Information

Further information

You'll find more details about working in education welfare through the education welfare service of your local council.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • knowledge of psychology
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an education welfare officer, you'll:

  • work closely with school staff to identify and fix attendance problems
  • meet parents and pupils at school or home to explain how you can help them
  • attend magistrates' court when required
  • arrange education for pupils who are excluded
  • handle sensitive personal information correctly and update records

Working environment

You could work at a school or from home.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and training you could become a team leader, senior education welfare officer or a head of service.

You could also train for a career in social services, the probation service, youth work or pastoral care.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 Apprenticeship - Daisychain Clifton Nursery

  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: Bristol

Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship – Level 5 – Brambles Outdoor Group, Figheldean

  • Wage: £30,000 a year Annually
  • Location: FIGHELDEAN, SALISBURY
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

NCPS ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING THEORY AND THERAPEUTIC PRACTICE

  • Provider: EXETER COLLEGE
  • Start date: 09 January 2025
  • Location: EXETER

Health & Social Care (Diploma)

  • Provider: THE COTSWOLD ACADEMY
  • Start date: 02 September 2025
  • Location: Cheltenham
Find courses near you

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