Designated Safeguarding Lead, The Skills Hub

Salary:   Scale L1-L6 FTE £47,820 - £53,637 (PRO RATA £45,753.79 - £51,319.45)

Location: The Skills Hub, Falling Lane, UB7 8AB

Working Pattern: Term time plus 4 weeks, permanent 

The Skills Hub is a co-educational Alternative Provision for pupils in the London Borough of Hillingdon who cannot attend mainstream school for a variety of reasons. It currently offers places to pupils aged 11-16, many of whom have been, or are at risk of, permanent exclusion.

It is an exciting time for The Skills Hub we have recently moved into our brand new purpose-built site in the 2022-23 academic year and will expand its intake to 120 pupils aged from 5 to 19. The new Free School will offer extensive dedicated facilities for our primary provision as well as state of the art, science labs and sports facilities.

Staff enjoy working with the young people who attend The Skills Hub and helping them to return to mainstream school or prepare them for the world of work, further education or training. To find out more about us visit www.theskillshub.org

The ideal candidate

·        To work as a senior member of staff within the School’s Leadership Team, taking lead responsibility for all safeguarding and child protection matters arising at The Skills Hub and providing advice and support to all staff in dealing with any child protection concerns that arise.

·        To lead and manage a Deputy DSL, to provide regular supervision and management oversight of open cases and reported cause for concern referrals by staff through the sharing of information.

·        To be given the time, funding, training, resources, status and authority within The Skills Hub to carry out the duties of the post including committing resources, and where appropriate, training, advising, supporting and directing other staff to act to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

·        To promote and safeguard the welfare of all children

·        To be available for staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns.

·        To identify training needs to ensure appropriate safeguarding training is in place for all staff and training records are maintained

·        To ensure that record keeping is timely, accurate, comprehensive and securely stored

We offer:

·     An inclusive approach based on shared responsibility & teamwork, which values every member of our community

·     A challenging learning environment where you will be asked to expand your thinking about our learning offer to our young people

·     Excellent induction & outstanding on-going staff development

·     Ongoing Employee Wellbeing support

·     Staff Discounts

All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

The Skills Hub is part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust, an established family of specialist academies and college centres that provide for over 1500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit https://www.ohcat.org/work-for-us/.

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application. If you have any queries, please contact starapdar@theprideacademy.co.uk

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date: 13th October 2023

Interviews will take place on: 19th October 2023

Start date: ASAP

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.