Designated Safeguarding Lead

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the post of 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.

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 provided on the website. applications made directly 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

Designated Safeguarding Lead job description

37.5 hours per week, employed for 39 weeks, term time only, plus 2 weeks equivalent to ensure cover through holidays

Grade 12 point 35 – £41,496 to point 38 – £44,539 (pro rata)

RESPONSIBLE TO: Headteacher

LINE MANAGER FOR: Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Administrator to the DSL team

WORKING HOURS: 8:45am to 4:45pm, 30 minutes unpaid lunch break

Main Purpose

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].

The DSL will take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the school, including online safety

To act as the main point of contact for families and professionals supporting the welfare and safety of children

To promote a culture of listening to children, taking into account their wishes and feelings, working with teachers 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 advise and support members of staff on child welfare, safeguarding and child protection matters, liaising with relevant agencies, such as the local authority and police.

To retain ultimate lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection even where safeguarding activities are delegated to others including the DDSLs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

● Undergo training to gain the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role and meet the expectations set out in KCSIE, including those outlined in the ‘Training, knowledge and skills’ section of annex C

● Update the school’s Child Protection Policy, at least annually, ensuring it reflects national and local procedures

● Ensure that all staff have access to and understand the school’s Child Protection Policy and procedures

● Ensure all staff have the required knowledge and skills to keep children safe at all times

● 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 in a timely manner

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

● Ensure robust Risk Management Plans are in place where required

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

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

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

● Representing the school in all safeguarding meetings pertaining to pupils across the school

● 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 and provide advice and support to staff on protecting children from the risk to radicalisation

● Work with the Headteacher, Deputy Headteachers, Extended Leadership Team and teaching staff to help promote the educational outcomes of children who are or have experienced child protection/welfare issues

● To understand the unique risks associated with online safety and have the relevant knowledge and up to date capability required to keep children safe whilst they are online at school

● Where required, liaise with other schools on the shared premises in order to keep the community safe

● Where required, liaise with statutory agencies e.g. the police and social care services and ensure they have access to all necessary information if requested.

● Report to the Governing body at intervals specified in the Child Protection Policy

● To continue to develop knowledge and expertise in all aspects of legislation and national and local requirements affecting the safety and welfare of children and young people. This will involve undertaking child protection and additional training as required, including attending the Local Authority’s DSL forums

● Take lead role in managing the transfer of Child Protection records and ensuring that any safeguarding and child protection records are obtained for new starters to the school

● Manage safeguarding data and produce safeguarding data reports as required.

● Ensure the School Central Record is completed accurately and kept up to date through liaising with the School Business Manager

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

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £21.51-£23.09 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

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Holton, OX33 1QH: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 05/09/2023
Reference ID: DSL Vacancy