At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and students, ensuring wellbeing and safeguarding while coordinating admissions and transitions.
- Company: Join OFG Education, a leader in personalised education with a commitment to student welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy life assurance, pension options, mental health support, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by building strong family-school relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and excellent communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30150 - 36850 £ per year.
Are you an experienced safeguarding professional who believes that strong relationships with families can transform a young person's education and future?
At Medway Green School, we're looking for a compassionate, proactive and experienced Family Liaison Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our team and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our students and their families.
This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days will be the same.
You'll be a trusted link between home and school, helping families overcome challenges, improving attendance and engagement, and ensuring vulnerable students receive the care, guidance and support they need to thrive.
As our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, you'll also play a vital role in protecting and promoting student welfare, working closely with school leaders and external professionals to ensure safeguarding concerns are managed effectively.
You'll also take the lead in coordinating admissions and transitions, helping new students and their families feel welcomed, reassured and supported from their very first contact with the school.
If you're passionate about safeguarding, skilled at building relationships and motivated by making a lasting difference, this could be the perfect next step in your career.
- What You'll Be Doing
- Be a trusted point of contact for families, building positive relationships and providing practical guidance, early intervention and pastoral support.
- Champion student wellbeing and attendance, identifying barriers to engagement, supporting vulnerable students and coordinating attendance improvement strategies, including Children Missing Education processes.
- Support and strengthen safeguarding, acting as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, managing concerns, referrals, risk assessments and safeguarding records in line with statutory guidance.
- Work closely with external agencies, attending Child Protection Conferences, Child in Need meetings, Early Help reviews and other multi-agency meetings to secure the right support for students and families.
- Lead admissions and transitions, coordinating school tours, assessments, consultations, welcome arrangements and personalised transition plans for new students.
- Bring professionals and families together, working alongside teaching, wellbeing and therapy teams to support EHCPs, individual support plans and positive student outcomes.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records, monitoring safeguarding actions, attendance, admissions and family support interventions.
- Help create a safe and inclusive school community, promoting positive behaviour, family engagement and a culture where safeguarding and student wellbeing are everyone's responsibility.
We're looking for a confident, approachable and organised professional who can balance the sensitivity of safeguarding responsibilities with the warmth and understanding needed to support families., Previous experience working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) - essential.
- Experience attending Child Protection Conferences, Child in Need meetings, Early Help meetings and multi-agency safeguarding forums.
- A strong working knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and child protection procedures.
- Experience supporting vulnerable children, young people and families, including addressing barriers to attendance, engagement and wellbeing.
- Confidence working with social care, local authorities and other external professionals to coordinate effective support.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage sensitive conversations professionally and compassionately.
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate, confidential safeguarding and administrative records.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, to support the requirements of the role.
It would also be advantageous to have
- Experience working in a specialist education or SEMH setting.
- Safeguarding Level 3 training.
- Experience coordinating school admissions and student transitions.
- Familiarity with safeguarding and attendance management systems.
- Knowledge of SEND, EHCPs and personalised support planning.
At OFG Education, we believe every student deserves an education designed around who they are.
Through high expectations, deep expertise and truly personalised education, we help students realise their potential and prepare for successful futures.
Building on more than 20 years of experience, we are bringing our approach to more students and communities around the world.
Across the UK, Iberia and the Gulf, our schools combine the strength, expertise and high standards of an international education group with the individuality of an each school and the communities they serve.
Whatever your role, joining OFG Education means contributing to our shared ambition: empowering every student to success through truly personalised education.
We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference.
We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people.
All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
Family Liaison Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in Wouldham employer: Ofg Education
At Outcomes First Group, we pride ourselves on being a 'Great Place to Work' for six consecutive years, offering Speech and Language Therapists a supportive and collaborative environment within a friendly multidisciplinary team. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through opportunities for research participation, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises your wellbeing and work-life balance. Join us in Lincolnshire, where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people while enjoying a fulfilling career in a nurturing educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Liaison Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in Wouldham
✨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 Ofg 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 Ofg 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 Ofg 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 Ofg 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 Family Liaison Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in Wouldham
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 Ofg Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ofg 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 Ofg 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.
