Job Description

Overview of the Role

Elysian is committed to providing high-quality, therapeutic education to children and young people who may struggle to engage in traditional education settings. This new role of

Inclusion and Outreach Lead

has been created in response to the increasing need to support young people experiencing attendance difficulties, school avoidance, or educational disengagement.

The Inclusion and Outreach Lead will play a crucial role in

reducing absence rates

,

supporting re-engagement into education

, and

delivering targeted intervention

to ensure every young person has access to the education and therapeutic support they need.

This role will involve

both direct intervention with students and strategic liaison with families, local authorities, and external agencies

. It will require an individual with expertise in working with young people with complex social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, as well as a strong understanding of safeguarding, attendance policies, and inclusion strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Attendance and Inclusion

Develop and implement proactive strategies to improve attendance and engagement across Elysian's sites. Work directly with students struggling to attend education, using creative and therapeutic approaches to support re-engagement. Monitor attendance data and provide early intervention for students at risk of persistent absence. Conduct

home visits

and work closely with families to identify and address barriers to attendance. Develop personalised attendance and inclusion plans, setting clear and achievable goals for each student. Ensure all strategies align with

Elysian's trauma-informed, therapeutic approach

and uphold our safeguarding standards.

Outreach and Community Engagement

Lead on

outreach programmes

for children and young people not currently accessing education, including those on reduced timetables or EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) placements. Work with local authorities, social workers, schools, and other agencies to

coordinate placements and reintegration pathways

for young people. Provide

off-site education, intervention, and transition support

to students in alternative provision, including home-based and community settings. Develop and deliver

therapeutic interventions

that facilitate a return to learning, in collaboration with the therapy and education teams. Act as a key liaison between parents/carers, schools, and external professionals to

create a coordinated support plan

for students.

Safeguarding and Pastoral Support

Ensure that all

safeguarding and attendance procedures

are followed and recorded in compliance with national and local guidelines. Identify students who may be at risk due to poor attendance, lack of engagement, or SEMH concerns, and escalate cases accordingly. Act as a

point of contact for parents/carers

, ensuring clear communication and collaborative problem-solving. Support students experiencing

emotional distress or school anxiety

, offering practical and therapeutic strategies to help them build confidence. Participate in

multi-agency meetings

to advocate for students' needs and contribute to EHC plans, alternative provision discussions, and case reviews.

Staff Training and Development

Provide

guidance and training

to staff on best practices for supporting attendance and inclusion. Develop

resources, workshops, and CPD sessions

to upskill staff in recognising and responding to attendance-related challenges. Work collaboratively with the wider education and therapy teams to embed inclusive, trauma-informed practices across all sites.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Experience working with children and young people

with SEMH needs, school avoidance, or complex educational challenges. Knowledge of

attendance legislation, school policies, and strategies for re-engagement

in education. Strong understanding of

safeguarding, child protection, and multi-agency collaboration

. Significant experience in

family support work and outreach is essential,

as is experience with

alternative education settings

Ability to

build positive relationships

with young people who are disengaged from education. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to

liaise effectively with families, professionals, and external agencies

. Confident in carrying out

home visits, risk assessments, and outreach work

in a variety of settings. Demonstrated and established ability to work

autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team

, using initiative and problem-solving skills. Proactive approach to

record-keeping, reporting, and monitoring outcomes

. Full, clean driving licence and access to a vehicle (as travel across sites and for outreach work is required).

Desirable Criteria

Qualification in

education, social work, youth work, or inclusion-related fields

(e.g. Level 3+ in Education, Counselling, Social Care, or equivalent). Experience delivering

therapeutic interventions

or working in

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) or outdoor learning environments

. Understanding of the

impact of trauma on education and behaviour

and experience working within a

trauma-informed framework

.

Additional Information

This role is offered as a

full-time position

, with flexibility in working arrangements. We may consider part time for exceptional candidates for this role. While the role is based in

Surrey (Shamley Green/West Horsley) or Hampshire (Liss/Froxfield)

, travel to other sites and outreach locations is required.

Opportunities for professional development and training

are available, with support to specialise further in therapeutic education or outreach strategies.
This role will play a critical part in ensuring

every young person we work with at Elysian has the support they need to access education and thrive

. If you are passionate about inclusion, creative interventions, and supporting young people who face barriers to education, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply directly on our website https://elysianuk.org/work-with-us/

All roles are subject to a vetting procedure that involves scrutiny of the candidates background, including Safeguarding and DBS checks.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 26,763.00-34,489.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Sick pay
Education:

Bachelor's (preferred)
Experience:

children, young people and families: 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 22/06/2025