DSL & Welfare & Safeguarding Lead

Salary: Grade 11, Points 32-36 (Meridian Trust), £44,253 per annum

Hours of work: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Responsible for all Safeguarding and Child Protection across the Academy, undertaking DSL functions to ensure that safeguarding information is recorded, appropriately, attending professional meetings and making referrals where necessary.

The opportunity

• Plan and deliver practical support, advice and guidance to vulnerable children and their families to support students’ academic, therapeutic, and pastoral needs.
• Manage, implement and review the strategy for family work within the academy.
• Ensure the school is represented at professional safeguarding and appropriate multi-agency meetings involving students; taking responsibility for making decisions on safeguarding outcomes for children and families as required.
• Manage the safeguarding platform to ensure safeguard of all students and staff, performing the triage of referral to appropriate DSLs and agencies as requited.
• Support house teams to contribute to EHAs and meet with families in respect of family, behaviours, academic concerns, empowering teams to fulfil their responsibilities within the EHA and safeguarding processes.
• Liaise with external agencies (including LADO and LA safeguarding team) as required in the interests of working together to support children and families.
• Ensure accurate records of all safeguarding concerns, actions and outcomes are kept confidentially and in line with GDPR requirements.

The ideal candidate

• Trained Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Good educational background with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience of working with multi agency teams in an education setting
• Positive and enthusiastic approach with the ability to work within a team as well as on own initiative.
• Knowledge of the need for confidentiality and awareness of child protection issues
• Flexibility of working hours, committed and reliable with excellent timekeeping

Nene Park Academy is an educational community whose philosophy embraces the challenges of academic excellence, responsibility and leadership, spiritual awareness and participation in a wide variety of activities, and we look forward to welcoming you to be part of our journey.

Based in the heart of Peterborough, next to Ferry Meadows, we are a proud member of Meridian Trust. For the third time in a row, in October 2023 we were rated as a ‘Good’ provider by Ofsted. Inspectors highlighted ‘pupils know there are high expectations for their achievement and attendance. They benefit from an interesting and engaging curriculum,’ and that ‘trips and visits help to bring the curriculum to life for pupils.’

Academic excellence is important, but the values that go with the achievement of the students are critical in ensuring that our students are well prepared for the challenges which await them beyond the school gates. At NPA, we encourage students to explore their identity and strengths and provide the expertise that helps them to transform individual talents into accomplishments - accomplishments which will make them valued and respected in an increasingly complex world.

About Meridian Trust -

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.

Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced. Applications will be reviewed as received so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.