Attendance & Family Liaison Officer/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Location: Lambeth, London

Closing Date: Ongoing until Positions are filled by the School

Interview date (w/c): TBC

Salary (or hourly rate): £28,592 to £33,384 (This is the full time equivalent and the salary will be pro rata to 49.8 weeks)

Contract Type: Full Time, Term Time

Hours per week: 37.5 hours term time only plus 20 days and 5 non teaching training days

We are a forward-thinking Autism Specific Specialist Free School seeking to appoint an Attendance & Family Liaison Officer/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, to oversee all aspects of attendance management within the school and assist in executing our safeguarding responsibilities.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join a dynamic team and be part of the school’s journey in establishing excellence in the education of autistic pupils.

Opened in January 2020, Vanguard School is an outward facing school, with inclusion and community engagement at its core. Our specialist secondary school is designed to support students who are able to complete GCSEs and A Levels to thrive and achieve their aspirations.

Every child is entitled to an education and every child deserves the best possible developmental opportunities so that they learn more and do more, preparing themselves for life after school. Our autistic pupils learn in happy and safe environments that are able to support their individual needs as autistic learners.

We are now part of Liberty Academy Trust which was established in 2022 to support the educational experience of autistic children and young people.

The trust is currently made up of three schools; Thames Valley School in Reading, Church Lawton School, in Cheshire, and us, Vanguard School in Lambeth, South London. As schools, we provide wonderful opportunities to address the needs of autistic children and young people and to transform not only their lives but also those of their families.

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding individual who will have a wide range of skills and experience to fulfil the role and responsibilities of this position. Overseeing all aspects of attendance management within the school, in line with Trust processes and procedures and developing systems to improve all aspects of what we do.

You will be expected to facilitate and encourage co-operation, effective communication and mutual understanding between home and school; maintaining positive communication pathways in the best interest of pupils.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and inspirational leader within specialist education to shape the future direction of the school and lead the way in transforming the lives of young people on the autism spectrum and develop a true community school which is linked with community groups, parents, local authorities, and other schools in the region.

As Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will provide support, advice and expertise to our community on safeguarding, responding to safeguarding concerns in line with all relevant policies and procedures.

To be considered for this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate strong organisational and communication skills together with safeguarding experience.

What we can offer you

In addition to a competitive salary, the following benefits are offered: 

• Cycle scheme. 
• 24/7 employee assistance programme - a confidential support programme designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems. 
• Headspace membership - Headspace is a global leader in mindfulness and meditation through its app and online content. 
• Occupational sick pay. 
• A range of discounts from hundreds of retailers, accessible from mobile phones or using reloadable discount cards – the average user saves £565 per year. 
• Discounts on hotel accommodation using one of the UK's leading accommodation websites.
• Salary Finance - Our charity partner offers Salary Finance loans as a financial wellbeing benefit for our staff.
• Eyecare vouchers – employees who need glasses to use computer screens. 
• Pension. 

For more information please email recruitment@vanguardschool.org.uk.

Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from those with a diagnosis of autism.

Liberty Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.

We adhere to all the necessary safeguarding checks as outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022, including checking ID documents on all site visits (entry will not be allowed without this), all pre-employment vetting checks must include; references from previous employers, an enhanced DBS with barred list check, a section 128 check and a check on the Teaching Regulation Agency.

We are an equal opportunities employer.