Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

40 hours per week during school term time and INSET and as required during school closure periods.

About the role: 

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding colleague to join our talented Safeguarding team to be the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for Olsen House School who will lead the school’s daily response to safeguarding concerns and referrals and to keep up-to-date, accurate and secure records of students with Child Protection plans and other social services or external agency involvement. 

The successful candidate will possess excellent leadership, management and communication skills and will have demonstrated an ability to work with young people and their families successfully. They will be aware of some of the challenges facing young people yet hold the highest aspirations for our pupils. They will also be committed to and use strategies that will ensure that all pupils are given the very best opportunities to be successful in all areas of their lives 

Main Duties: 

Primary purpose of the job is to, under the direction of the schools Safeguarding Officer: - 

• Act as the first point of contact and co-ordinate the Olsen House schools response to Child Protection and safeguarding issues 
• Access support for children and families who are deemed to be vulnerable 
• Manage a case load of our most vulnerable children and families (being able to plan for better outcomes) 
• Ensure individual healthcare plans are in place for students with medical issues 

The successful candidate will be someone who: 

• Have a passion for seeing young people thrive and achieve their full potential, having high expectations for students’ attainment and personal development. 
• Have experience of working with secondary aged young people and challenging and /or vulnerable families. 
• Demonstrate personal integrity and professionalism and role models those personal qualities we wish to instil in our students. 
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to form positive and supportive relationships with young people and their parents. 
• Have knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory and local frameworks relating to safeguarding, child protection and best practice. 
• Believe our students deserve the best provision and has the strength of character to advocate on their behalf and challenge appropriately where colleagues are not demonstrating agreed standards. 

SENCO Support: 

• Inspire the learning support team to maximise the potential of all our students. 
• Assist and develop support and intervention programmes for vulnerable students and those with additional needs. 
• Be an inspirational practitioner who maximises the potential of students and staff. 
• Be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence. 
• Develop learning and teaching across the curriculum though the provision of specialist advice and support for teaching staff. 
• Assist in the planning and development of the Learning Support provision including acting as lead on Community Support Group. 

Other Requirements 

• Have the ability and willingness to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role. 
• Be able to work independently, under pressure and to deadlines. 
• Be a great team player, friendly and professional. 
• Have a track record of using self-evaluation and performance data to identify and implement effective improvement. 
• Maximise achievement through rigorous monitoring, intervention and review.  
• Have energy, resilience, optimism, a sense of humour and the determination to see things through.  
• Make a full contribution to the wider life of the school and the personal development of our students 

Why work for us? 

• a competitive salary  
• a comprehensive induction programme so you can hit the ground running 
• continued professional development and training 
• Pension contributions 
• a friendly, passionate team committed to getting the best outcomes for our young people 

Benefits include:    

• £500 refer-a-friend bonus 
• OFSTED bonuses 
• life insurance 
• cycle to work scheme and laptop loans 
• discounts on cinema trips, electronics, fashion, home and garden, travel, groceries, gifts, utilities, health and fitness 
• birthday treats 
• long service and employee of the month awards 
• employee assistance and counselling service, wellbeing support and advice 

Olsen House is a very special place indeed. We cater for some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in society. All our pupils have an Education Health and Care plan, which describes additional need in Social, Emotional and Mental Health. Many are on the autism spectrum and a considerable proportion have several comorbid additional needs. Many of our young people can present with behaviours of concern and it takes a very special person to support them. We serve children and families from the Merseyside area and beyond. Our success is based on establishing exceptionally powerful relationships, helping pupils to develop pro-social skills that enable them to navigate society more successfully. We operate without sanctions, and we use reward to achieve a calm learning environment for all, modifying behaviour over the long term. Our emphasis is always to support pupils make choices that are positive for everyone. 

Kedleston Group Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its children and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. You will be expected to engage in annual safeguarding training, be familiar with key policies and ensure you know the steps to take should you be made aware of a safeguarding or child protection concern. You will remain vigilant and act swiftly if you have concerns about a child and be an appropriate role model for both children and colleagues at all times. 

The successful candidate is required to provide references and will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check. We will ask you to complete a criminal self-declaration form, and we will conduct online searches for information that is publicly available. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: 

We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a preferred supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you! Any unsolicited CV’s will be sent at the recruitment agency’s own risk and will be interpreted as ‘gifts’ and we have no liability to you for any fee or otherwise. We reserve the right to engage with candidates directly having not, in any way, entered into your terms and conditions for this vacancy. By submitting an unsolicited CV to us, or to any member of our staff, you accept these terms as the default position. If we require your assistance with any vacancy we will contact you.