At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable students and ensure their wellbeing through effective safeguarding practices.
- Company: Join The Brook Academy, a special school dedicated to improving life chances for young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, health benefits, and a supportive work environment focused on your growth.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while promoting inclusion and positive outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience with children, strong communication skills, and knowledge of safeguarding legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 33065 - 36567 £ per year.
Your opportunity to make a meaningful difference in safeguarding and student wellbeing: We are seeking a committed and highly skilled Relational Support Worker and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) to join The Brook Academy. This is a key role in ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection, supporting vulnerable students and their families, and promoting positive outcomes for all learners. You will play a vital part in building a culture where safeguarding is a priority, working closely with senior leaders, pastoral teams, external agencies and families. Through your work, you will help ensure that every child feels safe, supported and able to thrive in their education. This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about safeguarding, inclusion and relational practice to contribute to improving the life chances of young people.
About you:
- Strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding legislation, guidance and current practice, including child protection, KCSIE and multi‑agency working.
- Experience of working with children or young people, including those with additional needs and vulnerabilities.
- The ability to build and maintain effective relationships with students, families, staff and external agencies.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and complex situations professionally.
- Experience of working collaboratively across services and contributing to safeguarding processes and interventions.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records and work effectively under pressure.
- The ability to analyse information, make informed decisions and support appropriate referrals and safeguarding actions.
- A commitment to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and the wellbeing of all students.
- Resilience, professionalism and a proactive approach to improving outcomes for young people and their families.
About Brook Academy: The Brook Academy is a special school in Gloucester supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health as the primary need, and speech, language and communication need as a secondary need. Our mission is to consistently deliver excellent educational experiences for young people aged 11‑16, improving their life chances and serving our communities. The school community core values are equity, resilience, and togetherness. This drives our reflective practice of making a positive impact to meet the needs of every child. We aim to provide all our students with opportunities for widening participation and strengthening developed relationships to ensure high expectations in their behaviour and attitudes for personal development and achievements in their academic and vocational learning. We aim to empower all our staffing team in their roles to develop high‑quality CPD to enable them to carry out their roles faithfully to meet the needs of the school community and trust wide commitment to equity through education. We will be delighted to welcome colleagues inspired by our vision to join us.
Benefits:
- Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Generous annual leave.
- A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in‑role / wider‑trust development opportunities.
- Well‑being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above‑industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle‑to‑work scheme, on‑site parking plus many more!
We are unable to offer sponsorship with this role. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist. We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from under‑represented and global‑majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part‑time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
Relational Support Worker and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) in Kingswood employer: Brook Academy
The Brook Academy is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its staff. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, ongoing professional development, and a focus on safeguarding and student welfare, the academy provides numerous benefits including generous annual leave, health support, and a comprehensive induction programme. Located in Brockworth, the academy offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people while being part of a collaborative and passionate team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Relational Support Worker and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) in Kingswood
✨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 Brook Academy.
✨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 Brook Academy!
✨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 Brook Academy, 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 Brook Academy 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 Relational Support Worker and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) in Kingswood
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 Brook Academy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Brook Academy! 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 Brook Academy
✨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.
