Safeguarding & Student Welfare Leader – London

Are you ready to change the world? Harris Science Academy East London is a new, small school with big ambitions. Join us on our mission to help our children become leaders in their chosen field with many leading in science and to become one of the top schools in the UK.

This is no ordinary school. Situated in an eclectic array of buildings next to the renowned Three Mills Studios (location of BBC’s Masterchef) amongst the iconic East London canal network, this is a unique setting to provide a life changing education for the children of East London.

We believe we will succeed in this mission through a relentless focus on the basic functions of a high performing school:

1. Unified leadership and alignment behind a powerful mission.
2. Exemplary student behaviour.
3. A well-taught, unapologetically academic education for all children.
4. Regular opportunities for character development.

Every member of our school community is a leader. We believe that leadership does not have to be macho or at the expense of others. Our values of GRACE help us to achieve success in a collegiate and sustainable way:

• Growth – the belief that we can always improve and that feedback from others is essential for our development.
• Responsibility – we own our decisions and recognise when we need to put things right or make a change.
• Ambition – the belief that access to the top grades, the best universities and elite careers are available for our children.
• Compassion – we are kind to others and grateful for what we have.
• Excellence – we prioritise doing the basics well day after day, so we build habits that lead to success.

The school joined the Harris Federation in September 2022. The Harris Federation is the most successful large multi-academy trust in the UK and the only large trust where disadvantaged students secured a positive progress score in 2022. We are hugely proud of the work we do to support the most vulnerable children in the UK. The Federation has made a significant financial investment in the Academy, with upgrades to Sixth Form provision, buildings and IT. The Federation subject consultants provide industry leading support to middle leaders to deliver the best education possible for all children across the Federation.

If you are aligned, driven and committed to doing what works, this is an excellent opportunity to join an organisation undergoing rapid transformation.

In this role, you will:

• Liaise with Academy Leadership Group to address any safeguarding and welfare concerns
• Oversee and collaborate on a range of student welfare tasks across the academy including, but not limited to: safeguarding, attendance, LAC, medical and vulnerable groups
• Assist the DSL and Heads of House with a caseload of ‘at risk’ students
• Representing the relevant academy at external meetings e.g. Social Services Case Conferences, Child in Need Meetings, LAC Reviews
• Assist with the smooth running of pastoral team, ensuring support for students has a positive impact on raising achievement
• Communicate effectively with all external agencies including possible alternative providers eg. Special schools, LEA and other external agencies including CAMHs, Social Services, Police etc.
• Ensure effective communication/consultation as appropriate with the parents of students through phone, letter and home visits as relevant, ensuring student contracts are agreed and monitored
• Refer cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children’s social care as instructed
• Support staff who make referrals to local authority children’s social care
• Refer cases where a crime may have been committed to the Police as instructed

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Degree, or equivalent
• Knowledge of attendance legislation, CME and alternative provision
• Knowledge of the range of barriers to learning that students face
• Training in child protection and safeguarding procedures
• Basic knowledge of first aid; e.g. emergency first aid course
• Three years’ experience of working in an inner-city school or educational establishment in a pastoral capacity
• Experience of dealing successfully with a range of issues influencing poor attendance
• Experience of working with staff to ensure excellent standards of attendance and punctuality are maintained
• Experience of working with families, including those needing support
• Experience of working with challenging students and parents, and finding ways in which we can meet their needs more successfully
• Experience of liaising with external agencies and accessing early help

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, 26 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.