Safeguarding Officer

It couldn’t be a more exciting time to join Parkside School which has just joined Wellspring Academy Trust which was recently awarded the title of Multi Academy Trust of the year. As such, we are at the start of an exciting journey in this new partnership and we are looking for a like-minded, motivated staff to join us on this journey. Wellspring Academy Trust is known for its inclusive practice and these values are matched by Parkside School. ‘We make a difference’ If you have the same philosophy, this may be the job for you. 

Details of Wellspring Academy Trust can be found at: https://wellspringacademytrust.co.uk/

This post is a new addition to the safeguarding team and as such it will evolve over the course of time. The post holder will be line managed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead but will also work closely with the Assistant Head responsible for Attendance. The priority for the post holder will be to work with students that are experiencing significant anxieties or mental health issues that are restricting their attendance in school. This will mean visiting homes and building strong relationships with families to build levels of trust. At that point the post holder would be working closely with other professionals in school to design a safe plan to return to school. As such, you will need access to a car and be prepared to visit families in their homes. Full expenses will be paid and support/training will be given for this work. 

Other priority areas will be to support students who are in school but are experiencing low level anxieties and barriers to engaging positively in school. Working with other members of the safeguarding team you will plan how to best support these students which may include signposting resources for families.

As part of a safeguarding team of three you will work together on Early Help plans to support families and you will be an integral part of the pastoral support team. This could be the perfect post for somebody wanting to develop their safeguarding knowledge and skills as a stepping stone to a future position in safeguarding. 

At Parkside and Wellspring Academy Trust, we are keen to provide development opportunities which allow staff, at all levels to develop. The school has a Regard Specialist working in school and well as Trust wide Safeguarding leads and, along with Parkside staff, they will be tasked with supporting the successful candidate in their induction. 

Our vision for Parkside School is that Parkside School should visibly and substantively impact on the community it is embedded within. This impact should be important, meaningful and considerable. This means young people from Parkside should develop into well-rounded young people who know how to keep themselves safe. We want students to have a personal and specific hope for the future which they can articulate, believe in and share with others; students who can empathise, critique, protect, love, inspire, make, design, explore and understand; students who are willing to try things they have never done before, do things they don’t want to do and be willing to reinvent themselves to become the best that they can be.

If you would like more information about this post or would like to arrange a visit, please contact Sara Phillip, Designated Safeguarding Lead sara.phillip@parksideschool.net

If you are as excited by this challenge as we are and you think this might be the role for you, please apply by completing an application form, having taken note of the attachments, by the closing date Monday 8th July 2024 

Interviews for successfully shortlisted candidates will be undertaken at the end of this week.

The School has adopted the principles of Safer Recruitment and will safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to do the same. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal records check via the Disclosure and Barring Service. Parkside School is an Equal Opportunities Employer