Deputy Safeguarding Lead - SEND & Safeguarding Expert in London

Riverside Bridge School is seeking a dedicated and resilient Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our Specialist SEND setting. This role is pivotal in ensuring the safety and welfare of pupils aged 4 to 18 with complex needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition, profound learning difficulties, and non-verbal communication profiles.

The role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) at Riverside Bridge School centres on supporting the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to ensure that safeguarding practice across the school is effective, consistent, and proactive. A key aspect of the role is the early identification of risk and the coordination of safeguarding responses for pupils with complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Given that many pupils are non-verbal or have limited communication, the role requires a high level of professional curiosity, vigilance, and the ability to interpret behaviour, presentation, and patterns as indicators of potential concern rather than relying on direct disclosure. A significant part of the role involves managing safeguarding casework and maintaining accurate, detailed records in line with statutory guidance.

The DDSL contributes to referrals to external agencies such as MASH and social care, monitors patterns of concern, and ensures that all actions are followed through effectively. Acting as a key point of contact for safeguarding matters, the DDSL also oversees operational issues such as pupil collection arrangements, ensuring all changes are verified and recorded appropriately. This aspect of the role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously.

The DDSL also takes on a key worker role for identified pupils and their families, building professional and trusting relationships while maintaining clear safeguarding boundaries. This includes regular communication with parents and carers, providing both support and appropriate challenge, and helping families access relevant services. Home visits may be required, particularly where attendance or safeguarding concerns arise, reinforcing the importance of partnership working alongside professional accountability.

Working closely with external agencies is another core responsibility. The DDSL contributes to multi-agency meetings, including child protection conferences and team-around-the-family meetings, ensuring that information is shared accurately and that the needs of pupils with complex SEND are effectively advocated for. Alongside this, the role promotes a proactive safeguarding culture within the school by identifying early signs of risk and supporting early intervention strategies.

Finally, the DDSL plays an important role in supporting staff practice by providing guidance, modelling effective safeguarding approaches, and contributing to training. Ensuring clear communication, maintaining confidentiality, and supporting staff to interpret non-verbal communication are essential to embedding a strong safeguarding culture across the school. Overall, the role is demanding and requires resilience, sound judgement, and a commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all pupils.