Family Welfare & Safeguarding Officer

The Gallery Trust has an exciting opportunity for a Family Welfare & Safeguarding Officer to join Orion Academy. This is a crucial role in ensuring safeguarding is at the heart of the school ethos and that all staff are supported in knowing how to recognise and respond to potential concerns.

If you would you like to be part of a dedicated team that ensures outstanding education and support for young people, with a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs, and Cognition and Learning Needs, we would love to hear from you.

About the role:

The Family Welfare & Safeguarding Officer will support the strategic working of effective safeguarding and home school liaison at Orion Academy. This will be delivered by:

• being part of the safeguarding team as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring that safeguarding is at the heart of the school ethos and all staff are supported in their knowledge of safety and safeguarding
• supporting families and young adults through effective engagement of services and resourcing
• providing interventions and acting as a source of support, advice and expertise
• acting as a key liaison with the Head Teacher and SLT, keeping them informed of any safeguarding concerns and curriculum needs.

About the Trust:

The Gallery Trust is a successful and thriving Trust and has grown from a single special academy in 2013 to the largest special MAT in Oxfordshire with six schools across the county. The Trust is continuing to grow, with two free special schools in the pre-opening stage. The Trust can offer you:

• the opportunity to work with skilled, hardworking, and empowered colleagues, and with our fantastic students
• a comprehensive and thorough induction programme
• tailored and appropriate continuing professional development, designed to support your needs and aspirations
• professional business and school improvement support and resources
• the opportunity to working collaboratively with staff throughout the organisation

About you:

The successful candidate for the Family Welfare & Safeguarding Officer position will have:

• a core understanding of safeguarding in an education setting
• thorough and current knowledge of safeguarding processes, policies and procedures and will demonstrate a clear understanding of achieving compliance
• effective communication and interpersonal skills, that enable you to foster relationships with students, staff, families, external agencies and partnerships
• a commitment to enriching and improving the lives of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and to working with students who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs
• a commitment to professional development
• meticulous attention to detail, and excellent administrative skills
• a commitment to the values of the Trust, and to the students in our care

How to apply:

To apply for this position, please submit an application form via email to application@thegallerytrust.co.uk or by post.

The deadline for applications is 12:00pm 16th November 2022.

Interviews will be held on 18th November 2022.

The Gallery Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Any offer of employment with The Gallery Trust is subject to verification of ID and qualifications, satisfactory evidence of the right to work in the UK, health clearance, NCTL and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check. The Gallery Trust is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from candidates from all ethnic and community backgrounds.