Principal Education Welfare Officer

Interim Principal Education Welfare Officer
3‑month interim contract | Start date: ASAP
£233 per day 
Inside IR35 (via umbrella)

Hybrid working   CVs are being reviewed immediately and interviews will take place week commencing 25 May 2026.  If you are driven by improving outcomes for children and young people, this is a high‑impact opportunity to step into a visible, influential leadership role. As Interim Principal Education Welfare Officer, you will report directly into the Interim Lead for Inclusion and lead two critical services, shaping how attendance, access and inclusion are delivered across the system. You will manage a multidisciplinary team, influence partners across education and safeguarding, and hold strategic accountability for statutory duties that truly matter.  

In this Interim Principal Education Welfare Officer role, you will combine strategic grip with operational credibility. You will be trusted to stabilise, strengthen and future‑proof practice, ensuring services are lawful, inspection‑ready and relentlessly focused on children who are at risk of missing education.  

Your role as Interim Principal Education Welfare Officer:

• Strategic leadership of school attendance, CME, EHE, Section 19, Penalty Notices and child employment
• Ownership of the Attendance Strategy, embedding early intervention and inclusive practice
• Strategic oversight and leadership of the Fair Access Protocol and panels
• Inspection‑ready leadership, quality assurance, data intelligence and continuous improvement
• Visible, resilient leadership of teams, promoting accountability, trauma‑informed practice and partnership working

You will be pivotal in aligning attendance, access and alternative provision within a graduated response, reducing delay and escalation. Your leadership will set expectations, build confidence with schools and partners, and ensure statutory responsibilities are met consistently and proportionately.  

Your previous experience as an Interim Principal Education Welfare Officer:

• Senior leadership experience across attendance, inclusion or access to education
• Strong working knowledge of education legislation and statutory guidance
• Proven ability to lead services through inspection and improvement
• Experience managing teams, performance, risk and complex stakeholder relationships
• A track record of delivering change within a local authority or public sector setting

This Interim Principal Education Welfare Officer post offers immediate responsibility, pace and influence. If you are ready to make a tangible difference from day one, apply today or contact the consultant named on this advert to discuss next steps.   If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who this may be of interest to, please contact Athena Withers on 0117 313 7110 or apply today.
 
(We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation, so please do get in contact.)
 
Our clients are passionate about creating and evolving a diverse workforce and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant. Recruiting decisions are based on experience and skills, and any reasonable adjustments will be fully supported throughout the application and hiring process.

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