The Role of the Family Engagement Officer – Enhanced Practice

Course introduction

The Role of the Family Engagement Officer: Enhanced Practice course is an advanced professional development programme that builds on core skills to equip FEOs with the expertise to operate strategically and drive school improvement. It focuses on embedding equality, inclusion, and measurable parental engagement outcomes into whole-school planning, enabling participants to design targeted interventions that improve attendance, behaviour, and achievement.

Through practical activities, case studies, and reflective discussion, the course explores stakeholder collaboration, multi-agency working, and effective recording and reporting to evidence impact. Specialist content covers coordinating transitions for pupils and families, including those with SEND, supporting parental wellbeing, and applying strengths-based approaches to build trust. By the end of the course, participants will be able to plan, deliver, and evaluate engagement initiatives that are inclusive, data-informed, and aligned to leadership and community priorities, positioning the FEO as a key driver of positive change.

What we will cover throughout the day

• Refine engagement strategies using EEF evidence to remove barriers for all families and align with school priorities.

• Build strategic partnerships with staff, community, and agencies to improve attendance, behaviour, and achievement.

• Measure and evidence impact of engagement work through effective recording, monitoring, and reporting.

• Plan and coordinate transitions for pupils and families, including those with SEND, using multi-agency collaboration.

Target audience

Intended for those who have completed the Family Engagement Officer: Core Skills course or who have experience in the family engagement or leadership role.

Trainers for this course

Karen Ferguson

BSc (Hons), QTS, MEd, MA

Karen is currently working part-time in a mainstream Primary School as SENDCO, while the remaining part of her week is spent supporting and training. Karen started teaching science at a... mainstream secondary school in 2000 but moved into the SEND environment, working with children and parents to help them overcome their barriers to education to give them the skills to achieve their full potential. The majority of her training was on the job, which showed the need for training in this area. She was appointed as a Specialist Leader in Education for Autism, and this allowed her to disseminate good practice and deliver training in the field of SEND. Karen offers various SEND, Neurodivergent and condition specific training, including Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia. She has continued her professional development throughout the years, including a Master in Arts, Master in Education, Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA formal qualifications. She is currently working towards her NPQSEN. Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND, Neurodivergence and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing, and she is committed to ensuring that education is developed and delivered to as many people as possible.Read more

See what others have to say about us

“This course is amazing. It is proving to be really useful in sharing and receiving ideas. I am really excited to start making links with other stakeholders, as I feel this will be so beneficial for our parents and our school.”

“It was an interesting and engaging course that has huge relevance for many different roles within an education setting. Great course.”

“Really informative – so useful as this is a new role for me – it was invaluable.”

About the venue

Stay at home, get comfortable and enjoy our live interactive course via Zoom! You’ll receive the link a few days before the course date so you can get prepared (and excited) ahead of time.

Handy course logistics

• The course will run via Zoom from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, however, the trainer will be available 15 minutes before and after the course times to answer any questions.
• You’ll receive mid-morning, lunch and afternoon breaks to re-energise.
• This course is designed to be interactive and inclusive. We welcome questions and discussions throughout and we want you to be comfortable and stress-free no matter where you join us from!
• Your course handouts will be emailed to you on the morning of the course.
• Additional links and information will be emailed to you before and during the course.
• This course is also available as an in-house / INSET training session at your school. Contact us for details.
• Please Note – The cost is per person.
• Please note – the early bird rate of £185+ VAT ends 28 days prior to the course date, after this the standard rate of £215+VAT will be charged.