Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the post of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at John Watson School.

We are a community special school for children aged 2-19 with severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple difficulties, and complex needs, including autism, with 110 on roll.

This is an exciting new post, you will be playing an important role in supporting families and children, liaising with professionals, managing challenging situations and finding effective resolutions.

We are seeking a compassionate, resilient, and flexible person who has experience at managing risk to join our thriving and vibrant community at an exciting time in our development. If this sounds like you, please read on.

Our website will tell you more about the school. If you would like to visit us to find out more about this exceptional opportunity and inform your application, you will be most welcome to arrange a visit with the School Business Manager

(sbm@johnwatsonschool.org). We would be delighted to meet you!

On behalf of the Governors, thank you again for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you.

S. Passey, BA (Hons), M.Ed., PGCE, NPQH

Headteacher

John Watson School

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead job description

32.5 hours per week, employed for 39 weeks, term time only

Grade 9 point 23 – £30,151 to point 26 – £32,909 (pro rata)

RESPONSIBLE TO: Designated Safeguarding Lead

LIAISON WITH: Headteacher, DHTs, Administrator to the DSL team, SBM

WORKING HOURS: 8:45am to 3:45pm, 30 minutes unpaid lunch break

Introduction

This job description describes in general terms the normal duties which the postholder will be expected to undertake. However, the job or duties described may vary or be amended from time to time without changing the level of responsibility associated with the post. The performance of all duties and responsibilities shown below will be under the reasonable direction of the headteacher. The head will be mindful of his/her duty to ensure that the employee has a reasonable workload and sufficient support to carry out the duties of the post. The job description will be reviewed annually and any changes will be subject to consultation.

Key Responsibilities

● To follow our vision, values, aims and policies at all times

● Promote our school and our pupils

● To ensure the implementation of the school’s Child Protection Policy, safeguarding processes and procedures. This includes contributing to the school fulfilling its statutory duties in respect of s157 of the Education Act 2002, s94 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, and other key statutory documents [including Keeping Children Safe in Education, Working Together to Safeguard Children].

● To work closely with the safeguarding team to ensure effective safeguarding and child protection across the school.

● Promote a culture of listening to children, taking into account their wishes and feelings, working with staff to gain these views using the child’s preferred method of communication.

● To contribute to effective partnership working between all those involved with providing safeguarding services for children.

● To be committed to your own professional development and participate in professional development systems and activities as required

● Respond appropriately to disclosures of abuse or other concerns which relate to the well-being of a child, in line with local and national procedures

● Where appropriate, refer concerns to the Local Authority children’s social care or to other appropriate agencies and ensure that concerns are acted on

● Ensure that children who are victims of abuse are supported appropriately and sensitively in the school environment

● Follow Risk Management Plans as necessary

● Liaise with external agencies in initiating or co-ordinating referrals for children

● When appropriate, act as lead professional and attend Team Around the Family/Early Help meetings

● Maintain detailed, accurate, robust and secure electronic records in relation to welfare concerns and referrals

● Ensure effective information sharing, both within school, with the three safeguarding partners, other agencies, organisations and practitioners

● Understand and support the school with regards to the requirements of the Prevent duty

● Where required, liaise with statutory agencies e.g. the Police and Social Care and ensure they have access to all necessary information if requested

● Undertake child protection related training as required

● Support with parent/transport drop off and collection as required

● Carry out other duties as may be reasonably assigned by the headteacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead Person Specification

Essential Desirable

Qualifications Meet Higher Level Teaching Assistant A Level or equivalent
and Training standards or equivalent qualification or experience Specialist skills/training in SEND practice

Sound numeracy/literacy skills – equivalent to good Additional Safeguarding training

GCSE English and Maths pass

Generalist Safeguarding Training

Knowledge/ Excellent communication skills Experience of building and sustaining professional
Skills relationships with parents/carers

Good IT skills, including effective use of cloud based
Experience of working with other stakeholders and systems external agencies

Successful track record in working with children and Experience of handling sensitive data adhering to their families from a wide range of cultural confidentiality backgrounds

Excellent knowledge of legislation and guidance on
Proven track record in risk assessment and safeguarding and working with young people, management including knowledge of the responsibilities of schools and other agencies
Excellent record keeping skills and attention to detail

Proven track record of working with a range of people with the aim of ensuring the safety and welfare of children and young people

Personal ● Positive outlook
Qualities

● Professional manner

● Inquisitive

● Meticulous

● Compassionate

● Open minded

● Solution focused

● Resilient

● Self-aware

● Reflective

● Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

● Excellent time management skills

Safer Recruitment

John Watson School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post involves the type of work with children and young people that requires applicants to undertake a Disclosure and Barring

Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post. All users are considered confidentially and according to the nature of the role and information disclosed.

To apply for this position please complete an application form, which can be found on our website and return by email to sbm@johnwatsonschool.org.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 5th September 2023 at 5pm.

Please do not send CVs, applications will only be considered using the application form provided, applications made through INDEED will NOT be considered.

As part of our recruitment process we will require you to fill out an overseas check and self declaration form prior to interview.

Start date : ASAP

Interview date: w/c 11th September 2023

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £15.63-£17.06 per hour

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 05/09/2023
Reference ID: DDSL vacancy