Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer

Do you have experience working with at-risk students and or overseeing educational welfare? We are looking for a dedicated and experienced individual to join Harris Academy Rainham, overseeing welfare-related duties.

About Us

Harris Academy Rainham is a very popular and oversubscribed 11-16 academy which is part of the Harris Federation. We joined the Federation in September 2016 and there are exciting times ahead. We are due to open a Sixth Form for 400 students in September 2023 and are looking for ambitious and dedicated staff who wish to be a part of our Academy.

At Harris Academy Rainham we have a dedicated group of staff who are deeply committed to serve our community. We have built a school on our core values of Belong, believe, Become. These values are at the heart of our school and all that we do.

What makes us different:

• Our values are at the centre of our school and aren't simply a slogan on a website.
• We have a firm but fair approach to behaviour. This is built on the use of consistent routines and teaching our students how to behave.
• We deliver a knowledge rich curriculum that is developed by our staff to meet the needs of our students. The knowledge we teach takes our students beyond their everyday experiences and enables them to see the world differently.
• Our leaders are role models, they lead by example, admit mistakes, welcome opinions and love honest conversations.
• We are a staff united against educational disadvantage with a fierce determination to show our students the world beyond Havering.

What we can do for you:

• Great career progression both within our Academy and the Federation.
• Excellent professional development opportunities. As a Leading edge school we have been recognised as being at the forefront of educational thinking and research is central to all we do.
• Meaningful measures to manage workload – no graded observations, early finish on a Friday, no onerous marking requirements but sensible feedback policies.
• Bespoke support and line management from excellent leaders across the school.
• Opportunities for fantastic professional growth as the school develops a sixth from.

A school where subjects are ‘front and centre' of all we do. The subject determines our pedagogy.

Main Areas of Responsibility

As DDSL, you will:

• Refer cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children's social care as required;
• Support staff who make referrals to local authority children's social care;
• Refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern as required;
• Support staff who make referrals to the Channel programme;
• Refer cases where a person is dismissed or left due to risk/harm to a child to the Disclosure and Barring Service as required; and
• Refer cases where a crime may have been committed to the Police as required
• Whole school Safeguarding training
• Line management of support staff
• Prepare and present information to present information to present to the Academy Governors, ALG and Ofsted
• Management of CPOMS; ensuring that Academy Staff are using it correctly and training if required
• Work closely with vulnerable families and students to provide support with strong attendance and inclusion in school

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Good Honours degree or equivalent
• A clear and good understanding of safeguarding issues, theory and practice, with particular regard to:
• refer cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children's social care as required;
• support staff who make referrals to local authority children's social care;
• refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern as required;
• support staff who make referrals to the Channel programme;
• refer cases where a person is dismissed or left due to risk/harm to a child to the Disclosure and Barring Service as required; and
• refer cases where a crime may have been committed to the Police as required.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft software with knowledge of using a management Information system for input and export of student data
• Knowledge of the range of agencies that work with students and their families.
• Training in child protection and safeguarding procedures
• Basic knowledge of first aid; eg. Emergency first aid
• Knowledge of many of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Good understanding of a range of welfare issues that may be affecting students and their families
• Full working knowledge of relevant polices/codes of practice

Professional Development & Benefits

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, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

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.

Equal Opportunities

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.