Co-op Academy Southfield is seeking a committed and compassionate Family Engagement Officer to join our team. This is a key role within the academy, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, Welfare and Attendance teams to support the holistic development of our students and their families.
The successful candidate will play a vital role in building strong relationships between home and school, ensuring families feel supported, informed and empowered to engage with their child’s education. You will act as a trusted point of contact for parents and carers, helping to identify barriers to engagement and supporting families to access the help and services they need.
About the role
As a Family Engagement Officer you will:
- Build positive and trusting relationships between the academy and families.
- Identify barriers to learning and engagement and work with families to overcome them.
- Provide practical support and guidance to parents and carers, including signposting to services and completing relevant forms and applications.
- Work collaboratively with external agencies and professionals to support student wellbeing and achievement.
- Support transitions into the academy and promote strong attendance.
- Maintain accurate records and manage casework effectively.
- Lead and support family engagement events and activities within the school community.
- Advocate for families when additional support is required.
You will also play an important role in promoting safeguarding, inclusion and equality, ensuring that the needs of our diverse community are understood and supported.
The role would ideally someone who:
- Has experience working with families, young people or within an educational or community setting.
- Has strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Is confident managing a caseload and maintaining accurate records.
- Has knowledge or understanding of SEND, safeguarding and family support services.
- Can work collaboratively with staff, families and external agencies.
- Demonstrates cultural awareness and understanding of the diverse communities within Bradford.
- Is organised, resilient and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Has a full UK driving licence
About us:
Co-op Academy Southfield is part of The Co-op Academies Trust and is co-located with Co-op Academy Grange, a mainstream secondary Academy in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Co-op Academy Southfield caters for over 350 students and we are one of the largest special schools in the country. We have on-site support from other professionals including Speech and Language Therapists, the School Nursing team, Physiotherapy teams as well as support from Social Care and other services. We enjoy close links with education, leisure, sporting and commercial organisations across the locality and we are keen to actively promote these partnerships for the benefit of the children in our care.
Co-op Academies Trust aims to provide an outstanding education for all our learners, founded on co-operative values, at the heart of the community. It is responsible for thirty-eight Academies across Greater Manchester, Staffordshire & Merseyside and West Yorkshire with the Co-op acting as the sponsor.
Benefits:
- Competitive Salaries, pension schemes and recognised continuous service
- A superb and comprehensive range of CPD activities to further develop your career
- Access to counselling services & Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
- Free access to our ‘Health Assured' a confidential 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to Wisdom - our Health & Wellbeing app to support your well being on the go
- Free flu vaccinations and eye tests with money towards glasses
- You’ll get being a Co-op member, you’ll get a Co-op colleague discount card. This gives you a 30% discount on most Co-op branded products and 10% from non-branded products
- Co-operative discounts and flexible benefits (discounted line rental and broadband package, family care advice and cycle to work scheme, insurance & legal, season tickets, funeral care benefit)
- Discounted gym membership and leisure activities which includes discounts on Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life, Legoland etc), Virgin Experience Days, SuperBreak and many more!
- Co-operative Credit Union: save directly from your salary and receive a competitive dividend. Borrowers can benefit from very competitive interest rates & terms (in comparison with other high street lenders)
How to Apply:
To apply please complete your application via the Trust website
www.southfield.coopacademies.co.uk/vacancies
Application closing date: 9am, Monday 11th May 2026
Shortlisting date: Tuesday 12th May 2026
Recruitment selection date: Thursday 21st May 2026
Co-op Academies Trust is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnerships.
Co-op Academies Trust as an aware employer is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check with appropriate children and/or adults barred list check if necessary. A person who is included in the children or adults barred list commits an offence if they engage in regulated activity from which they are barred.
We value variety and individual differences, and aim to create a culture, environment and practices at all levels which encompass acceptance, respect and inclusion. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles, and the Ways of Being Co-op.