Designated Safeguarding Lead – London

We are looking for a Designated Safeguarding Lead to provide advice and support to other staff on child welfare, safeguarding and child protection matters, taking part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings, and/or supporting other staff to do so, and to contributing to the assessment of children.

Harris Academy South Norwood is an extremely popular 11-19 academy. We deliver a broad and challenging curriculum to all our students in a calm and well-ordered environment. We have high expectations of all members of the school community. This is reflected in our consistently high student performance at GCSE, progression to post 16 study at our sixth form and then on to some of the best universities in the country.

The Beulah Hill Campus is a wonderful place to learn and teach. We have a very hardworking team of teachers and support staff; they provide a caring and welcoming atmosphere for our students. The Campus site is a huge site with close to 8 acres of school buildings, sports halls, gymnasium, tennis courts and large playing fields / athletic track thus providing excellent facilities for our students. The Beulah Hill campus also has full-time basketball and football coaches through its partnership with Greenhouse and Kinetic. We have recently invested over £1 million to further improve our outstanding facilities including the development of a state-of-the-art Design Technology room equipped with laser cuter and 3D Printers, Food room and a newly laid sports field to ensure all year-round sporting opportunities. The Academy has a limit of 800 places across Year 7-11. We are unlike other schools; we do not want to expand at this moment in time, in fact we wish to remain small for as long as possible! This will ensure a small school where each child is known to staff and a caring environment can be provided.

We are traditional in our approach to discipline and uniform, yet forward-thinking and at the cutting edge of curriculum development, learning and pedagogy. The Academy aims to develop the whole child. We have a real focus on progress and attainment, yet ensure students develop their cultural awareness. We have a breadth of extra-curricular activities including Drama, Creative writing, Chess, Food and Art Clubs alongside support and extension in traditional subjects. We are proud of our Campus; we are proud of our students and proud of the education that they receive.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is expected to:

• Manage referrals
• Undergo training (including Prevent awareness training) to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role
• Raise awareness of child protection policies and welfare, safeguarding and child protection issues
• Take responsibility for the management of Child Protection Files
• Ensure they are always available for staff to discuss safeguarding concerns

For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Training

• Educated to A Level
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office packages.
• Proficient in the use of computers and databases.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of good safeguarding practice
• Good ICT skills and ability to write concise summary reports regarding safeguarding issue

Experience

• Experience of supporting children and young people with a variety of needs.
• Experience of working in a dynamic working environment where adaptability and flexibility are key features.
• Experience of developing and maintaining effective relationships and liaison with outside agencies and families, focussing at all times on the welfare of the child

Personal Skills, Abilities & Qualities

• Ability to keep up to date with legislative, policy and guidance developments in safeguarding
• Ability to identify examples of poor practice and raise concerns promptly and coherently
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy of work.
• Ability to work as a member of team and actively promote teamwork.
• Ability to respond positively to and actively support the Principal and the Academy Leadership Team.
• Able to maintain confidentiality in all circumstances.
• Ability to be proactive in the workplace.
• Ability to work to deadlines.
• Ability to manage a variety of different tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate well with parents, students and colleagues.
• Ability to remain calm.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

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, 26 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

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.

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.