Outline of the Role
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will take responsibility for ensuring Bookmark Reading Charity is compliant with safeguarding legislation and best practice. This person will provide support, advice and guidance to staff and volunteers on an on-going basis and on any specified safeguarding issue as required.
Outcomes of the Role
- The Bookmark service fully meets to its legal and statutory obligations.
- All safeguarding policies and procedures are fully implemented and followed by staff, trustees and volunteers.
- Safeguarding and safer recruitment is applied in a practical manner balancing best practice with operational realities.
- Risk assessments are undertaken for the entire Bookmark service with an auditable trail and updated regularly.
- Bookmark partner schools are fully aware of their safeguarding responsibilities under the service contracts and work in partnership with Bookmark.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for maintaining a robust culture and effective governance around safeguarding.
- Keep up to date with latest guidelines and legislation, ensuring the Bookmark service is meeting its legal and statutory requirements.
- Undertaking an annual review and if needed updating safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.
- Providing support, supervision and advice for any staff member, Trustee and volunteer with a safeguarding or child protection concern.
- Review safeguarding implications of new pilots within the Charity.
- Keeping their own training up to date.
- Providing safeguarding induction for new staff and maintaining volunteer training
- Ensuring that all staff are trained and a register is kept of staff who have completed child protection training.
- Keeping all staff, students and volunteers informed of good practice and new legislation and guidance.
- Up to date understanding of the referral procedures and know how to contact and establish links with trusted advisors, local authorities or police.
- Liaising with and making referrals to appropriate agencies about children where there are safeguarding concerns.
- Dealing with any allegations against staff and Bookmark Volunteers.
- Co-ordinating with partner schools supported by Bookmark on best practice and responsibilities for safeguarding through the Bookmark Service.
- Setting up and managing clear, accurate and secure record keeping systems.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently qualified as a Designated Safeguarding Lead or held a previously accredited safeguarding qualification
- A full Enhanced Disclosure with Child Barred List check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- Right to Work in the UK
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
- Deep experience of Safeguarding procedures and applying them to multiple educational contexts.
- Demonstrable experience of working in a DSL role within a school or other organisation that deals with children and young adults.
- Experience of handling large amounts of sensitive data and upholding the principles of confidentiality
- Managing effectively in a matrix organisation.
CAPABILITIES / MINDSET
- Advanced written and verbal communications, including the communication of highly complex/sensitive information.
- The ability to identify examples of poor practice and to raise concerns promptly and coherently through Senior Leadership Team.
- Advanced project management and administration skills, able to take a take a project from cradle to grave and execute effectively within a team environment.
- Curiosity and open mind, able to question the status quo and open to suggestions and ideas to solve the next challenge.
- Ability to work independently and contribute as part of a team
- Flexible mindset to working in a busy organization; willingness to adapt
Reporting to: Head of Volunteers
Hours: 2 days a week – term-time only
Salary: £31,000-£33,000 FTE
Deadline: 15 Nov 2023 11:59 PM
Bookmark is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunity for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.
Bookmark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being and welfare of children and requires everyone associated with the charity, including all trustees, employees, and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the role, including references from past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
Job Type: Part-time
Salary: £31,000.00-£33,000.00 per year
Expected hours: 15 per week
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Sabbatical
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
