Family Support Officer and Deputy DSL

Main Purpose:

• Family Support Officer: Work with the Assistant Head and Trust Family Support Manager to lead the academy’s family support provision, monitor and evaluate pupil and family experience, set a high standard through personal example, contribute in a variety of ways to the day-to-day running of the academy, promote the public image of the academy and support academy events.
• Deputy DSL: Take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the academy, take part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings, contribute to the assessment of children, advise and support other members of staff on child welfare and child protection matters, liaise with relevant agencies such as the local authority and police, oversee and support the work of the DSOs, including the quality assurance of the safeguarding system used.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Family Support Officer: Work within the current Family Support model to provide an effective Early Help Offer within the Academy in close collaboration with the Trust Family Support Manager.
• Complete and manage Early Help Assessments, act as lead professional for Team Around the Family meetings/Family Support meetings.
• Hold a caseload of students referred within the academy for various reasons, including one-to-one support for individual students, group work, family consultation and support, liaison with external agencies, and partnership working with school and other statutory partners.
• Work closely with the Pastoral Team to provide emotional and practical support to children and young people, collaborating with school staff and external professionals to provide individual care and development plans.
• Provide ongoing support, advice and guidance to enable key pupils to maintain high attendance and access an appropriate curriculum.
• Develop and maintain effective and supportive mentoring relationships with children and young people.
• Work closely with the Attendance team to monitor and support students with low attendance, ensuring there is a support plan for pupils with severe non-attendance.
• Keep families and carers informed of individual action plans to encourage their active participation.
• Monitor the progress of individual children and young people, empowering families and carers to resolve issues.
• Collaborate with others in the academy or external services to set targets, agree action, and evaluate outcomes.
• Provide relevant reports/analysis in preparation for meetings, maintain student files, and attend home visits to provide ongoing family support.
• Access school or external funding to support vulnerable young people and families.
• Support the Year 7 Pastoral Support Manager with transition, including attending the Summer School.

Deputy DSL:

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people, following academy policies and the staff code of conduct.
• Be available during academy hours for staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns.
• Manage referrals, refer cases of suspected abuse to local authority children’s social care, and support staff who make referrals.
• Refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern and to the Disclosure and Barring Service where necessary.
• Keep detailed, accurate and secure written records of concerns and referrals.
• Act as a source of support, advice and expertise for staff.
• Understand the assessment process for providing early help and intervention.
• Ensure staff can access and understand the academy's child protection and safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Provide Safeguarding training for all new staff starters at the academy.

Training:

• Undergo training to develop and maintain the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role.
• Undergo Prevent training and support the academy in meeting the requirements of the Prevent duty.
• Undergo training on female genital mutilation (FGM) and report known cases to the police.
• Refresh knowledge and skills at least annually to remain up to date with developments relevant to the role.

Other areas of responsibility:

• Securely transfer child protection files to new schools when children leave the academy.
• Provide safeguarding reports to the SLT and Trust Safeguarding and Family Support Manager.
• Model best practice and uphold the principles of confidentiality and data protection.
• Ensure quality assurance is taking place with the school's safeguarding reporting system (CPOMS).

General:

• Attend and participate in staff and working group meetings and training as appropriate.
• Adhere to work practices and policies including those relating to Equal Opportunities.
• Any other duties requested by the Headteacher.