Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) / Family Support Worker - Brandhall Primary School

Required for September 2026 or as soon as possible after that (Subject to satisfactory clearances)

Brandhall Primary is a welcoming and inclusive two-form entry primary school serving a community with high levels of deprivation and complex need. Our children and families require committed, compassionate, and skilled professionals who are ready to make a meaningful difference every day. We are proud of our nurturing ethos and strong safeguarding culture, where the wellbeing of every child is paramount.

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced DSL / Family Support Worker to join our dedicated safeguarding and pastoral team. This pivotal role combines strategic safeguarding leadership with direct family support, ensuring that vulnerable pupils and their families receive timely, effective, and compassionate support.

You will play a key role in identifying and addressing barriers to learning, including neglect, trauma, and wider safeguarding concerns, working closely with pupils, families, staff, and external agencies.  The role will involve proactively addressing poor attendance, working closely with families to overcome barriers to education, and confidently engaging with parents where necessary to promote positive outcomes for children.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (or Deputy DSL), taking responsibility for safeguarding practice across the school.
• Lead on child protection cases, ensuring robust, clear, and timely responses to concerns.
• Work directly with families experiencing high levels of need, providing practical support and early intervention.
• Confidently identify and challenge issues relating to neglect and welfare, escalating concerns appropriately.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date safeguarding records in line with statutory requirements.
• Liaise effectively with external agencies (e.g. social care, health services, police, early help teams).
• Deliver guidance and support to staff regarding safeguarding and pastoral concerns.
• Support attendance, behaviour, and inclusion through a trauma-informed and relationship-based approach.
• Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality and professional integrity at all times.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience working in a school or family support role, ideally within a high-need setting.
• Level 3 Safeguarding Training (or willingness to obtain immediately).
• Strong working knowledge of safeguarding procedures, legislation, and multi-agency working.
• Demonstrated experience in identifying and responding to neglect and complex safeguarding concerns.
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to engage sensitively and assertively with families and professionals.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgement.
• Resilient, proactive, and emotionally intelligent, with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable children.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience as a DSL or Deputy DSL in a primary school.
• Relevant qualifications in safeguarding, childcare, social care, or family support.
• Knowledge of early help processes and referral pathways.
• Experience working in communities with high deprivation.

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative staff team.
• Strong leadership commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development.
• Opportunities for further training and career progression.
• The chance to make a real and lasting impact on children’s lives.

Please call Anne Wood on 0121 422 5336 to arrange a walk around.  Alternatively you can email anne.wood@brandhall.sandwell.sch.uk.  We very strongly encourage walk arounds.

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake all relevant safeguarding checks and an enhanced DBS check.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is eligible for an enhanced DBS check including a Children's Barring List Check. If you are barred from working with children you are breaking the law if you apply for this post

Please ensure application forms are signed if sending via email.

Further information relating to our school, including our policies can be found on our website Brandhall Primary School - Home

CV’s will not be accepted.

If you have provided an email address, correspondence will be sent via e-mail.

Successful applicants will be contacted with an interview date.  If you are successful in being short-listed for interview, you will be contacted via email within 28 working days of the closing date. Please ensure you check your junk/spam boxes as well as your inbox in case any correspondence has been delivered there.

We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, we have a positive approach to employing disabled people and guarantee an interview for applicants who disclose they would like to be considered under this scheme and meet the essential criteria.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, be sure to include these on your application.

This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent and spoken English is an essential requirement for this role

Online Search

An online search will be undertaken on all shortlisted candidates.  This search does not form part of the shortlisting process and you will have the opportunity to discuss any issues of concern that may arise from this search at the interview.

Applications forms are available below and should be returned to: anne.wood@brandhall.sandwell.sch.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

Hours: Full-time 37 hours per week, Term Time plus 2 weeks

Grade: Grade E, SCP 18 - 25 £31,537 - £36,363 (Actual Salary £28,868 - £33,985 p.a.)

Location: Brandhall Primary School, Brennand Rd, Oldbury B68 0SH

Closing Date: Monday 6th July 2026 at 12pm

Shortlisting: Thursday 9th July 2026 – subject to change

Interviews: Tuesday 14th July 2026 – subject to change