The Role of the Family Engagement Officer – Level 3

Course introduction

The Level 3 course is designed for Family Engagement Officers who are ready to take their skills to the next level in improving school attendance. Building on Levels 1 and 2, this course equips participants with advanced strategies for addressing complex attendance issues, fostering strong home-school partnerships, and implementing long-term solutions to reduce absenteeism. It focuses on leadership in family engagement and creating a culture of attendance across the school community.

What we will cover throughout the day

• Master advanced strategies for engaging families and overcoming persistent attendance barriers.

• Develop leadership skills to drive school-wide attendance improvement and ensure alignment with school policies.

• Learn to analyse attendance data and use it to create targeted interventions and track progress.

• Address specific challenges in engaging hard-to-reach families, including those with SEND/ALN pupils, and develop bespoke strategies for support.

• Design and implement Community Focussed Schools initiatives, including workshops, campaigns, and community outreach, to create a culture of attendance and hold families accountable.

Target audience

Aimed at anyone who have already attended the Family Engagement Officer Level 1 and 2 course or experienced within the family engagement role/leadership.

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

Amazing trainer. It's been an extremely interesting and informative training session. Am feeling inspired with a number of 'tools' to use to improve attendance and family engagement at our school. Thank you.

Fabulous training very informative

Extremely knowledgable trainer and has given me lots of useful information and tip that I can use in my school.

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 pack includes handouts, an M&S voucher for food, a snack, a pen and a notepad – we’ll send this to you before the day. Please note this is only for UK-based participants, international attendees will receive the pack via email.PLEASE NOTE: We are going paperless from 31st August 2025. To reduce our environmental impact, NSM Training & Consultancy will no longer post printed delegate packs after 31st August 2025. If you book by 31st August 2025, you will receive a printed pack by post, after this date you will receive only your handouts via email (M&S voucher, a snack, and a pen will no longer be available). Same great content, now greener and more efficient. Thank you for your support as we go paperless.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.