Safeguarding Officer

Safeguarding Officer

Location: The Wenlock School

Salary: up to £20,000 per annum

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Safeguarding Officer to join our close-knit team at The Wenlock School.  If you are looking to join a dedicated team in a school that will welcome your ideas and re-engage our young people, we would like to hear from you.

About the School

The Wenlock School opened in September 2018. We are a co-educational day school catering for pupils aged 7-18 with a range of needs including a range of social, emotional and mental health needs and also pupils who have been diagnosed with autism or demonstrate behaviours associated with autism. You will contribute to making Wenlock School an Outstanding provision and a leading light for our young people and their families. We provide a therapeutic, supportive and inclusive learning environment and are committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise their potential and supporting them through a personalised, engaging curriculum. Our priority is to develop the foundation knowledge and skills required to make a manageable and smooth transition to the next life stage.

About the role

We require a professional with exceptional experience and knowledge of Safeguarding who has the ability to make a significant contribution to our school. The successful candidate will be an innovative, reflective practitioner who can demonstrate the willingness to adapt and learn.  You will have specialist knowledge and experience of working with children with complex needs. We are looking for an individual with high expectations and standards who will lead in facilitating the development of safeguarding and child protection, deliver training and ensuring our practice remains outstanding at all times.

About the Group

We are part of the Acorn Care and Education Group and can promise you plenty of challenges and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.

Acorn Care and Education provide education and care across 20 schools and 19 residential care homes nationally. Our vision is to build incredible futures by empowering vulnerable young people in the UK to be happy and to make their way in the world. Every day we improve the lives of thousands of the young people, their families and communities through a relentless focus on caring and learning.

Who are we looking for?

You will be able to demonstrate a working understanding of Safeguarding procedures and outstanding practice, ensuring that nothing is ever left to chance. No two days are the same at The Wenlock School so we want people who can work at pace to turn ‘can’t do’ into ‘want to’ and are motivated by working with children with complex needs. You will be motivated by your belief that every child can achieve and reach their potential. The ideal candidate will enjoy working with children in a calm and engaging demeanour, whilst being resilient and innovative. Previous experience of working in a SEN environment would be desirable, excellent support skills and the right motivation, personal qualities and levels of resilience are also just as important.

The ability to contribute to the development of our new school is essential and we believe that energy, passion and a commitment to high standards are key characteristics required.  We are looking for a special individual who is able to help inspire and engage the young people that we serve.  This is an opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their skills and experience in a challenging, motivating and highly rewarding environment.

Essential Criteria

• Relevant and up to date Safeguarding experience;
• Experience of supporting vulnerable young people;
• Experience of supporting young people who have demonstrated challenging or complex behaviours;
• Ability to recognise small steps of progress in young people’s journey and development;
• Experience of using IT effectively.

Acorn Care and Education are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.