Job Title: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) & Student Welfare Officer
Location: London, UK (On-site)
Job Type: Full-time / Permanent
Industry: Higher Education, Fine Art, & Motion Pictures and Film
About Raindance Film School
Raindance is a globally recognised hub for independent film, offering higher education courses, masterclasses, and hands‑on training for the next generation of filmmakers. We are committed to fostering a creative, inclusive, and vibrant environment. As part of this commitment, the safety, mental health, and overall well‑being of our diverse student body are our highest priorities.
We are seeking a dedicated, empathetic, and highly organised Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) & Student Welfare Officer to champion a robust safeguarding culture across our institution.
Job Description
As the Safeguarding Lead, you will hold ultimate operational responsibility for safeguarding, child protection, and student welfare at Raindance. You will act as the primary point of contact for all safeguarding disclosures, managing complex case work for a student population that includes young people (16-18) and adults.
You will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure absolute compliance with UK statutory guidance, including Prevent duty, while providing compassionate, frontline mental health and pastoral support.
Key Responsibilities
- Case Management & Referrals: Act as the main point of contact for all student safeguarding, protection, and welfare concerns. Review disclosures and make timely referrals to external agencies (Social Care, CAMHS, Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO), and the Police) when necessary.
- Statutory Compliance: Ensure all college policies, safer recruitment protocols, and student support frameworks align perfectly with current KCSIE guidance, the Prevent duty, and the Equality Act.
- Record Keeping: Maintain meticulous, highly confidential, and legally compliant records of all safeguarding concerns, risk assessments, and interventions using digital tracking systems.
- Staff Training & Culture: Design and deliver comprehensive safeguarding inductions and regular refresher training for academic tutors, technical staff, and operational teams to embed an "everyone's responsibility" culture.
- Preventative Support: Develop proactive student welfare initiatives, workshops, and digital resources focusing on mental health, online safety, consent, and respectful creative collaboration in film production environments.
- Strategic Reporting: Provide regular, anonymised data and trend analyses to the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Governors to continuously improve the school’s pastoral care strategy.
Skills and Qualifications
- Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL role within a UK Higher Education (HE), Further Education (FE), or sixth‑form college environment.
- Qualifications: Ideal but not compulsory for candidate to have a level 3 Safeguarding training.
- Expert Knowledge: Deep, up‑to‑date working knowledge of KCSIE and adult safeguarding, contextual safeguarding, the Prevent duty, and the unique mental health challenges facing creative students.
- Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and active‑listening skills. The ability to handle deeply sensitive disclosures with absolute calm, professionalism, and strict confidentiality.
- Problem Solving: Strong crisis‑management abilities with a proven track record of collaborating effectively with external social care and health partners.
- Industry Context (Desirable): An understanding of or affinity for the creative arts and filmmaking sectors, particularly regarding safety and boundaries on student film sets.
- Vetting Requirement: This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with adult and child barred list checks.
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Generous annual leave allowance.
- Opportunities for continuous professional development (CPD) and specialised training.
- Complimentary access to select Raindance film masterclasses, courses, and networking events.
- A vibrant, collaborative workplace culture in the heart of London’s independent film scene.
Safeguarding Lead/Wellbeing Officer employer: Raindance Film School
Raindance Film School is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and collaborative work culture in the heart of London. With a strong focus on practical, industry-relevant education, we provide our lecturers with opportunities for professional growth and development while fostering creativity and innovation in teaching. Join us to inspire and shape the future of filmmaking in an environment that values both academic excellence and real-world experience.
