You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council.

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We are looking to recruit Inclusion Officers: School Attendance Support Officers (SASO) in the School Attendance Support Service in West Northamptonshire Council, based at One Angel Square but also working in the school community.

Ensuring good attendance at school is everyone’s business and it is our role to ensure that all pupils receive the education to which they are entitled. It is our intention that the right support is given at the right time to ensure that attendance for all pupils, but particularly for our vulnerable cohorts, sits at a good level. We are clear that anything below 95% is not good enough and will require action by the school and parents working with West Northants Council and other essential services.

Using the DfE Attendance guidance entitled Working Together to Improve School Attendance as a basis for our work, the SASO will lead termly Targeted Support Meetings within their allocated schools to identify barriers to good attendance and navigate appropriate support for the school, for the pupil and their family, to ensure that attendance is prioritised.

You would be joining a highly motivated, committed team which has been brought together from a wide range of experiences to ensure pupils have full access to and are safe in education and to support access to education and positive educational outcomes for vulnerable learner

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Children and Adults Barred List check. West Northamptonshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

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As a School Attendance Support Officer, you will be meeting regularly with your allocated schools using key attendance data to identify overall attendance trends, identifying pupils of concern and what barriers are in existence. You will be working with other services and teams to identify support to promote good attendance and where necessary and having followed clear processes to support good attendance, use prosecution to bring about change as and where it is deemed appropriate to do so.

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We want talented, ambitious and passionate people like you to come and take on this challenging and rewarding role. You must be able to work collaboratively and supportively whilst balancing this with the ability to challenge where it is required.

With excellent oral and written communication skills, you will be a clear thinker and outcome focused.

Collaborative multi-agency working is key to this role alongside being resilient and determined.

Please Note Key Information Regarding The Recruitment Process

Successful shortlisted candidates will be required to deliver a presentation as part of the interview.
Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 17th June 2026.
Previous applicants should not reapply.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact

Katie.Morlidge@westnorthants.gov.uk

West Northamptonshire Council jobs

Inclusion Officer