At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding initiatives and ensure a safe environment for students with SEMH needs.
- Company: Nightingale Community Academy, a special school dedicated to supporting vulnerable learners.
- Benefits: Pension schemes, employee wellbeing support, flexible working, and discounts.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Nightingale Community Academy is a special school in Wandsworth, providing education for boys aged 5 to 19 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Our primary pupils benefit from a purpose‑built classroom hub, an outdoor adventure playground, weekly music lessons, and a comprehensive therapy service. Secondary and post‑16 students have access to a broad curriculum, including vocational courses such as motor vehicle studies, construction, horticulture, and hospitality. All pupils also enjoy regular animal therapy sessions at Tom’s Farm, located on our expansive school grounds.
Staff at Nightingale Community Academy take pride in the development of young people in a safe and stimulating environment and are offered a rewarding and varied career in return. We are seeking an experienced, resilient and compassionate Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to provide strategic leadership for safeguarding and child protection across both Nightingale Community Academy and Nightingale Preparatory Learning. The successful candidate will be passionate about safeguarding, confident in managing complex child protection matters and committed to developing an outstanding safeguarding culture where every learner feels safe, supported and able to thrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for safeguarding and child protection across both NCA and NPL, ensuring compliance with statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
- Lead and manage safeguarding systems, statutory processes and complex safeguarding cases, including Child Protection, Child in Need, Early Help, Prevent and LADO referrals.
- Line manage Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads and safeguarding staff, providing professional support, supervision and quality assurance across both academy sites.
- Work collaboratively with senior leaders, therapists, attendance teams, families and external agencies to improve outcomes for vulnerable learners.
- Monitor safeguarding, attendance, behaviour and wellbeing data to identify trends, drive continuous improvement and ensure safeguarding practice remains consistent across both provisions.
Key Requirements
- GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (Level 3) Training (or willingness to obtain immediately).
- Experience working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Excellent knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and multi‑agency working.
- Excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with learners, families, colleagues and external professionals.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and a passion for improving the life chances of children and young people with SEND and SEMH.
Benefits
- Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme).
- Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme.
- Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more).
- Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme).
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
Safeguarding Statement
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all. All applicants will be assessed in a non‑discriminatory manner, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and applicable legislation.
Contact Details:
Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust Recruitment Team
