Deputy DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

The role in a nutshell

We are seeking to recruit an outstanding enthusiastic and dedicated Deputy DSL to join our team.

The role is essential in providing support to pupils across the academy and play a role, with others, in working proactively to break down barriers to learning. The role is also essential in planning and delivering practical support, advice and guidance to vulnerable families/pupils to reduce the risk of being referred to social care, ensuring families recognise their roles and responsibilities in the education of their children.

You will advise and support the academy staff on child welfare, safeguarding and child protection matters, and liaise with relevant agencies such as the local authority and police.

As a Deputy DSL, you will undertake the day-to-day monitoring and resolution of concerns raised, using face-to-face contact and the secure online reporting system CPOMS to respond to safeguarding issues raised by staff, pupils and parents/carers. You will be readily available to support staff and pupils in the academy.

You should have a knowledge of strategies to engage and motivate young people and families. You will be a natural problem solver and have experience of working closely with other external agencies, sometimes with highly confidential information and complex scenarios.

You will have an excellent and up-to-date knowledge of legislation and guidance on safeguarding and working with young people, including knowledge of the responsibilities of schools and other agencies. You will take part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings; contribute to the assessment of children; and contribute to the evaluation of support strategies and plans.

The candidate

The ideal candidate will have an excellent knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education, and an unrelenting commitment to children’s welfare and safety. They will be an excellent communicator: empathetic; consistent; trustworthy. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently and manage their own workload and diary. They will have proficient IT skills and be able to maintain accurate records. They will have experience of using alternative communication methods such as Makaton or be willing to learn.

We welcome applications from everyone who believes they meet the expectations of the role regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability. To ensure that our staff composition is representative of the communities we serve, applications from groups who are currently under-represented in education including people with disabilities and people from minority ethnic backgrounds are particularly encouraged.