Designated Safeguarding Lead

Thank you for requesting information regarding the post of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Chelsea Academy. We hope that the enclosed application pack, along with the Academy’s website, gives you all of the information that you need to help you apply for a post here. Chelsea Academy is a great place to work and visitors often comment on the excellent behaviour of our students, the friendliness of our staff and the fantastic Academy building. Our aim is simple; to provide the best quality education for all the students that attend the Academy, to produce happy and employable young people and to remain one of the best schools in London. If you would like to join us on this journey, then we would love to hear from you.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is a key and vital role for the safeguarding of all students at Chelsea Academy. This role will require the employee to act as an ambassador for the Academy with students, parents and external agencies and will also play a critical role in helping vulnerable families access both in school and external provision to support them. The role also has crucial accountabilities to legal and governance structures surrounding the safeguarding of children and families.

Candidates for the role should have:

• An in-depth knowledge of safeguarding guidance (including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children) and related pieces of legislation (e.g. the Children Act 1989) that you will act in accordance with. You will support the dissemination of appropriate information to the rest of the Academy. 
• Relevant experience of working in comprehensive, urban and multicultural environments, with prior experience of safeguarding
• The passion and ability to inspire and motivate others
• Be committed to their own professional development and learning

We offer:

• Exceptional professional development and career progression
• Positive working relationships at all levels (Investors in People Gold, June 2020)
• An ambitious, dynamic and supportive Leadership Team
• Opportunity to gain experience through our partnerships with local schools and networks including PiXL
• Private Medical Care Support Packages
• Rigorous focus on staff wellbeing
• Cycle Scheme 
• Access to School Advisory Services for wellbeing 
• Supervision for pastoral staff
• Daily Staff lunch
• Academy laptop
• Lunch
• Travel card loan scheme
• Use of Academy gym facilities

Quick Academy Overview

 Our most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2023, saw us being judged strongly good in all areas. Our current SIAMS grading is outstanding. Both inspections evidence our excellent quality of education and commitment to ensure all students flourish both academically and pastorally. Recent outcomes at GCSE and A Level demonstrate strong progress for all students with the Academy’s GCSE results this summer being the highest the Academy has ever achieved. However, we are much more than a successful, academically focused school. We believe in educating the whole child and our Christian values of joy, perseverance, servant leadership, charity and forgiveness underpin everything we stand for. It is important that all of our staff, whether they are teachers or not, work closely with our young people and ensure that they are successful in all that they do. We are looking for staff who will always go the extra mile for our young people and believe that education happens both in and out of the classroom.

We are a diverse inner city science specialist academy based just off the King’s Road in Chelsea and are co-sponsored by both the London Diocesan Board for Schools and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Chelsea Academy combines traditional educational values and high academic and behaviour standards with an innovative approach to learning and teaching. The Academy’s specialism is the sciences, and as such we have strong links with local organisations such as Imperial College, The Science Museum and Chelsea Physic Garden. As a Church of England sponsored academy we welcome staff, students and parents/carers from all faiths but expect all employees to have regard for our Christian values that are demonstrated through the taught and non-taught curriculum.

Please download out application pack for more information about our Academy and for a copy of the JD

Use “Quick Apply” from TES to apply for this post. Sorry but we do not accept CVs. The deadline for applications is Monday 15th April 2024 at 9am.   Shortlisting will take place shortly after the advert closes with interviews scheduled for Tuesday 23rd April 2023. It will assist the shortlisting process if applicants can address directly the criteria in the person specification in their supporting statements.

Chelsea Academy reserves the right to close the advert early if a suitable candidate is found.

Requests for informal discussions with the Principal are welcome and can be arranged by Anisha Yatally, our HR Manager or Katie Courtley, EA to the Principal. Please note that Chelsea Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. 

Equal Opportunities and Safer Recruitment

Chelsea Academy is an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from suitable candidates no matter their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability, however, we do expect all our staff to note and follow our Christian ethos which is outlined on our website. Please note that Chelsea Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate must be able to satisfy successful references, an enhanced police / Security Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and right to work in the UK prior to starting employment with the Academy.

As part of our recruitment process we will also carry out an online search for information that is publicly available online. This will include social media accounts you may hold. This will only be carried out on shortlisted candidates and before the interview. This processing of data will be conducted under the legal basis of Article 6(e) public task in line with the guidance laid out in paragraph 221 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023. Any data collected during this search will be retained in line with our retention schedule which is available on request.

If you want to work in a happy, purposeful inner city academy with a strong Christian ethos and commitment to helping every student go on to university or meaningful employment, then we would welcome your application.

Yours faithfully

Mariella Ardron

Principal