Data Protection Officer in Shaftesbury

Do you have solid experience in a compliance environment and an interest in growing your data protection skills? This rewarding role supports the privacy and rights of children, young people, families, and colleagues, and we can provide training for the right person. Join us at the Dorset Centre of Excellence - a unique and specialist educational organisation where every member of staff contributes to a safe, well-run, and compliant environment. You will act as the organisation’s independent Data Protection Officer (DPO), ensuring compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and championing best practice information governance across the company.

This is an excellent role for a highly skilled, detail-focused professional who can work independently, provide impartial advice to senior leaders, and lead our data protection frameworks with confidence and integrity.

What we are looking for:

• Has experience working in a compliance, administrative, or regulated environment requiring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Demonstrates strong understanding of GDPR and data protection legislation, including SARs, data breaches, and compliance processes.
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence good practice at all levels.
• Can work confidently as the organisation’s independent DPO, providing impartial and expert advice.
• Is highly organised, proactive, and able to prioritise deadlines effectively.
• Holds or is willing to work towards a professional data protection qualification (e.g., C‑DPO, ICSA).
• Is competent using MS 365, Teams, Excel, and Word.
• Displays high levels of integrity, professionalism, and discretion.

Key responsibilities:

• Act as the named Data Protection Officer (DPO) for the Dorset Centre of Excellence.
• Data Breach Management.
• Data Subject Rights Management.
• Policies & Compliance relating to information governance.

Salary and Hours:

Salary range is £32,061 - £35,412 FTE (37 hours) depending on experience. Actual salary for 15 hours: £12,998 - £14,356. Part remote working is fully considered. 3 days per week (15 hours) all-year round. We can offer some flexibility around the 15 hours, provided that 15 hours are worked each week.

Application and About the Dorset Centre of Excellence:

Please review the job description and person specification for further information about the role. If you're ready to make a difference in a rewarding environment, we encourage you to apply.

The Dorset Centre of Excellence is located just outside Shaftesbury and set in 55 acres of beautiful countryside. Coombe House School supports children and young people with social communication, emotional and learning needs, all of whom have an EHCP.

What we offer:

• A workplace set in beautiful surroundings.
• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Free, confidential employee assistance programme.
• Enhanced Pension Scheme (10% employers' contribution).
• Continuous professional development and training.
• Use of leisure facilities (gym and swimming pool), at specified times.
• Death in Service (3 x salary).
• Health Care Plan after probation period with reimbursement for dental, optical, prescription, and therapies.
• Supportive leadership team and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Wellbeing support, including qualified Mental Health First Aiders.

This post involves working with children or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them and will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Important dates and safeguarding:

Closing date for applications: Sunday 15 February 2026. Interviews to be held on Wednesday 18 February 2026. We are committed to safeguarding and expect everyone who works in our school (and visitors to our school) to share this commitment. We take all safeguarding and welfare concerns seriously and encourage our pupils to talk to us about any worries they may have. We will always act in the best interests of the child. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS.