Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – Harris Academy Clapham

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, skilled and knowledgeable Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

This is an excellent opportunity to work in a growing Academy, where you will be highly supported by both the Academy team and the wider Harris Federation. As the Academy grows to full capacity there is a wide range of opportunities for future career progression.

About Us

The vision of Harris Academy Clapham is a simple one. From our opening in September 2020, our academy is a place where ‘everything is possible’.

The Clapham curriculum is designed to meet the needs, aspirations and abilities of every one of our students. Our aim is to improve their life chances and enable them to make a positive contribution to the city and world in which they live.

At Harris Clapham, the curriculum is delivered through high-quality teaching. This is codified in our research-informed approach to pedagogy, which we call the Clapham Way. The following principles apply in our curriculum:

• Subject specific knowledge and skills come first
• Embedding and building on the basics – ensuring that every student acquires the vocabulary, literacy and numeracy skills to enable them to fully participate in society
• The curriculum must be rigorous and relevant by engaging with the best of what has been thought and said and acknowledging that knowledge is fluid and can be contested
• The curriculum must prepare for life in modern Britain and beyond, and enable Clapham students to understand their rights and fulfil their responsibilities under the Equality Act.

Through the Clapham academic, enrichment and pastoral curriculum we expect our students to develop powerful knowledge and the following values and character attributes that will enable them to achieve our vision that ‘Everything is Possible’.

Endeavour for excellence

• Learning to work hard and relish challenge.
• Learning to never give up.
• Learning to take sensible risks.
• Learning to always strive for the best for themselves and each other.

Integrity and honesty

• Always acting with kindness.
• Treating others the way they would like to be treated.

Self-belief with a global view

• Growing to have the agency to achieve their ambitions for themselves and the wider world.

Our staff are supported in their work and in developing their future careers via:

• A centralised behaviour system, with each year group supported by non-teaching pastoral leaders
• A programme of instructional coaching, supported by the Step Lab platform
• Access to a wide range of National Professional Qualifications delivered by the Institute of Teaching
• Federation subject consultant support
• Harris Federation professional development training days and networking support.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting staff who make referrals to local authority children’s social care;
• Referring cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children’s social care as required;
• Referring cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern as required;
• Supporting staff who make referrals to the Channel programme;
• When needed, in the absence of the DSL and with guidance from the Principal, referring cases where a person is dismissed or left due to risk/harm to a child to the Disclosure and Barring Service as required; and
• Referring cases where a crime may have been committed to the Police as required
• Whole school Safeguarding training
• Line management of support staff
• Preparing and presenting information to Academy Governors, ALG and Ofsted
• Management of CPOMS in line with agreed protocols, ensuring that Academy Staff are using it in line with agreed protocols and training if required

You will also be expected top undergo training to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role. This training should be updated at least every two years or if circumstances change.

You will also need to undertake Prevent awareness training.

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Understanding of relevant legislation and good practice within the realm of Mental Health Support Services
• Understanding of safeguarding in any setting
• Experience of working with young people
• A clear and good understanding of safeguarding issues, theory and practice
• 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

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

Rewards & 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 our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, 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, an online search, 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.