At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts and support students' wellbeing in a dynamic school environment.
- Company: Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, a forward-thinking secondary school.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive community.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a vibrant, inclusive setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding, excellent communication skills, and a passion for student welfare.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Brighton And Hove, UK
Salary: £28,985.68 – £32,065.82 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Education Phases: Secondary
Job Roles: Education Support
Working Patterns: Full-Time
Application Deadline: Monday, 27th July 2026
Interview Date: 31st of July
Expected Working Start Date: 09/2026
Visa Sponsorship Available: No
Is a Shared Job: No
About the School
Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) is a dynamic and forward-thinking secondary school offering a unique blend of academic excellence, vocational training, and personal development. Located in a state-of-the-art £30 million campus, BACA boasts cutting-edge facilities including specialist science labs, creative media suites, sports academies, and green, sustainable architecture. The academy has built strong partnerships with professional organisations such as Sussex Cricket and Latest TV, providing students with real-world experience in sport, media, and construction through its renowned academies. With a curriculum that nurtures resilience, creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurship—supported by initiatives like the BACA 100 enrichment programme and are well-prepared for future success. Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, BACA is committed to high-quality education, career readiness, and strong community engagement, making it a standout choice for families in Brighton and beyond.
Job Description
Are you passionate about safeguarding and committed to ensuring every child feels safe, supported, and able to thrive? At Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, we believe that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are looking for an experienced, compassionate, and highly organised Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) to join our dedicated Inclusion team and play a vital role in protecting and supporting our students.
Working closely with the Assistant Principal for Safeguarding and Inclusion, you will help lead our safeguarding provision, ensuring that children and young people receive the support they need to succeed both academically and personally. You will work collaboratively with staff, families, and external agencies to coordinate effective safeguarding interventions, attend multi-agency meetings, and contribute to creating a culture where every student feels safe, valued, and heard.
Alongside your safeguarding responsibilities, you will act as the academy's Lead First Aider, overseeing the provision of first aid, maintaining accurate medical records, coordinating first aid training, and ensuring students' medical needs are managed effectively and compassionately throughout the school day. This is an incredibly rewarding opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds positive relationships with young people and professionals alike, and is committed to making a genuine difference in the lives of children and families.
What We're Looking For
- Experience working within safeguarding, child protection, education, social care or a similar environment
- A sound understanding of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (or the willingness to develop this knowledge)
- Experience working with multi-agency professionals and supporting vulnerable children and families
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to build effective relationships with students, parents, colleagues and external agencies
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage sensitive information accurately and confidentially
- The ability to remain calm, professional and resilient when dealing with challenging situations
- A recognised First Aid qualification (or willingness to undertake training) and a commitment to promoting student health and wellbeing
Why Join Brighton Aldridge Community Academy?
At Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, you'll become part of a collaborative and inclusive community where safeguarding and student wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. Guided by Aldridge Education's values of excellence, integrity, equality and teamwork, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people while continuing to develop professionally within a supportive environment.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Aldridge Education, please proceed through the following link to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
Safeguarding Officer and Deputy DSL - Brighton in Preston employer: Aldridge Education
Aldridge Education is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. As a Cover Supervisor at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, you will enjoy flexible working hours, generous annual leave, and access to pension schemes, all while making a meaningful impact on students' education in a vibrant community setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safeguarding Officer and Deputy DSL - Brighton in Preston
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Aldridge Education.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Aldridge Education!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Aldridge Education, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Aldridge Education or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Safeguarding Officer and Deputy DSL - Brighton in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Aldridge Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Aldridge Education! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aldridge Education
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
