Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) non-teaching

About this RoleWe are seeking a highly adaptable, detail-focused and committed Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leadto join our Safeguarding team. Working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), this role plays a vital part in ensuring all students feel safe and supported.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced pastoral team member or administrator, who enjoys working with a range of professionals, values confidentiality, and wants to make a meaningful difference to young people’s lives.

Under the direction of the DSL, you will take a lead role in ensuring the wellbeing of the students in the school. This includes monitoring safeguarding alerts, maintaining accurate records, liaising with staff and external professionals, and supporting with safeguarding meetings. You will also provide wider administrative support to the Safeguarding team.

Key responsibilities include:

Under the direction of the DSL, managing Safeguarding concerns within the school.

Responding in person to concerns raised by staff, students and parents.

Attending safeguarding meetings for students and keeping detailed notes.

Co-ordinating meetings and visits by external agencies.

Co-ordinating the transfer of safeguarding information for students joining and leaving the school.

Maintaining safeguarding records, evidence files and monitoring logs.

Monitoring and responding to alerts from Smoothwall, the school’s filtering and monitoring system.

Working collaboratively with teaching staff, the Student Focus Centre team and staff with pastoral responsibilities.

Administrative tasks as directed by the DSL.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has previous experience of working with young people.
• Is highly organised, detail-oriented and able to juggle competing priorities.
• Communicates confidently and professionally with staff, parents and carers and external agencies.
• Can work independently, use initiative and remain calm under pressure.
• Is flexible and able to support busy safeguarding periods.

Experience within a school environment, or knowledge of children protection issues and safeguarding processes, would be an advantage, although training will be provided for the right candidate.

About us

Newlands Girls’ School is a truly wonderful place to work. Our school culture and the relationships between staff and students make us very special. From phenomenal academic results to sporting triumphs and inspirational student leadership, our school community thrives. In May 2024, Ofsted reaffirmed what we already know — that Newlands remains outstanding in every sense. In fact, our latest Inspection Report opens by describing us as ‘exceptional’ - perfectly capturing the spirit and standards of our school.

Where we are going

As a school, we are constantly striving to be better and are currently implementing Tom Sherrington's Walkthrus as well as using research from Steplab, Peps Mcrae and evidence from some of the highest performing schools in the country. We believe in a consistent approach to teaching and learning but also departmental autonomy and put evidence-based approaches at the centre of our practise.

We have a Senior Leadership Team who positively embrace new ideas. If you are passionate about educational innovation and excited by the prospect of making a lasting impact in a school that values forward-thinking leadership, we would love to hear from you!

Join us in shaping exceptional futures for our students.

Benefits we offer

• A warm, supportive and inclusive school culture
• Exceptional behaviour, attitude and attendance from eager and hard working students
• Excellent induction and CPD, bespoke and focused on your career development from day one
• Flexibility of training time allowing teachers an earlier finish in the summer
• Commitment to flexible working arrangements
• Membership of the DfE Wellbeing Charter and two additional Wellbeing Days for staff
• Time off allowing staff to attend important personal occasions
• Children of staff have priority admission to our school
• Free access to our employee assist programme offering confidential personal and professional advice and guidance
• Collaborative planning and shared resources
• A wonderful extra-curricular programme, including many trips and enrichment activities
• Free onsite parking
• Indoor heated school swimming pool
• Discounted corporate gym membership

How to Apply

• Register or log in to MyNewTerm
• Complete the application form
• Include a personal statement tailored to the role
• Submit your application before the deadline

We are committed to safeguarding, child protection and promoting the wellbeing of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. All roles are subject to:

• Enhanced DBS checks
• Reference and identity verification
• Compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

We reserve the right to close the application early should we receive an overwhelming response and offer feedback to both successful and unsuccessful shortlisted applicants on request.