Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

The primary role is that of DDSL, working alongside the other DDSLs and the DSL.  This post would suit an experienced DDSL/DSL who wishes to develop their career in a large independent day and boarding school, with strong pastoral systems and a diverse and dynamic student mix.

The hours are full time, to include weekend, evening and overnight commitments each week, by negotiation. This post requires overnight cover, full time residential accommodation is available if required.

If combined with a teaching role, MPS/UPS plus Queen Ethelburga’s salary enhancement

If not combined with a teaching role, Queen Ethelburga’s Safeguarding Team scale (c. £29,000 - £32,000)

DDSL role:

• To ensure prompt contact with:

o Children’s social care

o The police (if a criminal matter)

• Maintain links with the LSCB and the LADO

• Ensure staff are aware of up to date child protection procedures

• To ensure safeguarding courses are undertaken and relevant staff attend

• To lead in facilitating the development of Safeguarding and Child Protection policies, training and procedures and guidance, ensure that the CP Policy is reviewed annually by the Collegiate Board. 

• To undertake appropriate Child Protection Training every 2 years in order to:

o understand the assessment process for providing Early Help and intervention, e.g. through locally agreed common and shared assessment processes such as early help assessments.

o have a working knowledge of how the LA conducts Child Protection Case Conferences and be able to attend these effectively when required to do so. 

o ensure each member of staff has access to, and understands, the Collegiate’s Child Protection Policy and Procedures, especially new and part time staff.

• To receive and coordinate referrals, arranging action and reviewing services for children and families

• To maintain accurate, confidential and up to date documentation on all cases of safeguarding and child protection, ensuring that all records are forwarded to any new school the child may attend

• To work directly with children in need and their families in the community in order to promote, strengthen and develop the potential of parents/carers and their children in order to prevent children becoming looked after and/or suffering significant harm

• To support the care of children where their living arrangements are at risk of breakdown (including Local Authority placements)

• To provide support and guidance to carers and provide planned interventions as part of agreed plans for children

• To ensure that students who are victims of abuse are supported appropriately and sensitively and that all actions assigned by the setting from planning and intervention meetings are successfully carried out and monitored

• Inform the Principal of issues, especially ongoing enquiries under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 and police investigations, and to ensure that action is taken in accordance with advice and guidance received from children's services, the LADO and/or the police 

• To act as a source of support, advice and expertise to staff on matters of safety and safeguarding, including when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies or when staff have made a referral to children's social care.

The post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the Collegiate’s Child Protection Policy and Staff Code of Conduct at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school s/he must report any concerns to the Collegiate’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.