At a Glance
- Tasks: Support safeguarding, attendance, and pupil wellbeing in an alternative provision setting.
- Company: East Sussex Skills Academy within London South East Academies Trust.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, term-time hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a committed team focused on inclusive education and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable pupils and their families.
- Qualifications: Safeguarding qualifications and experience in an educational setting required.
The predicted salary is between 27445 - 30866 £ per year.
East Sussex Skills Academy (ESSA) is seeking a dedicated Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) / Family Worker to support safeguarding, attendance and pupil wellbeing within our alternative provision.
Working closely with the DSL and Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in ensuring robust safeguarding practices, effective multi-agency working and meaningful support for pupils and families, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
The role includes:
- Day-to-day safeguarding and welfare support
- Acting as a key point of contact for pupils, families, staff and external agencies
- Leading and contributing to multi-agency safeguarding and attendance work
- Monitoring attendance and safeguarding concerns using data to inform action
- Supporting families experiencing complex challenges
- Contributing to pupil induction and ongoing wellbeing support
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds safeguarding qualifications
- Has experience of safeguarding and/or attendance in an educational setting
- Has strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Is resilient, flexible and committed to inclusive education
- Can work confidently with vulnerable pupils and families
- Experience in SEMH or alternative provision is desirable.
London South East Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
What the school offers its staff:
East Sussex Skills Academy, located in Bexhill, recently joined London South East Academies Trust. As an alternative provision, the school supports up to 94 pupils in Years 9-11 who are unable to access mainstream education. ESSA offers a broad range of vocational pathways. Pupils receive high quality teaching in maths, English and science alongside expert professional tuition in Construction multi-trades, Hairdressing, Barbering & Beauty, Automotive, Hospitality & Catering, Sports & Fitness and Arts & Creativity.
We are committed to helping our young people to re-engage with learning and develop the skills they need for successful progression into further education, apprenticeships and employment.
Commitment to safeguarding:
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), medical online and social media prohibition from teaching, right to work, satisfactory references, suitability to work with children. You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
DDSL/Family Worker employer: Teaching vacancies
Contact Detail:
Teaching vacancies Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land DDSL/Family Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the education sector, especially those involved in safeguarding. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your safeguarding knowledge and practices. Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios where you've made a difference in pupil wellbeing or attendance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your communication skills! During interviews, highlight how you've built relationships with families and external agencies. This is key for the DDSL role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows your commitment to joining our team at East Sussex Skills Academy.
We think you need these skills to ace DDSL/Family Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in safeguarding and working with vulnerable pupils. We want to see how your skills align with the role of DDSL/Family Worker, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Qualifications: If you’ve got safeguarding qualifications, make them pop! We’re keen on seeing how your credentials can contribute to our commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
Be Personable: Your communication skills are key! Use your application to demonstrate how you build relationships with pupils, families, and staff. We love a friendly approach that shows you’re ready to support our community.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with us at East Sussex Skills Academy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Teaching vacancies
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your safeguarding knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific policies and practices you've implemented in previous roles, as well as how you would handle various safeguarding scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a DDSL/Family Worker, strong communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with pupils, families, and external agencies. Think about times when your relationship-building skills made a difference.
✨Demonstrate Resilience and Flexibility
This role can be challenging, so be prepared to talk about how you've handled difficult situations in the past. Share stories that highlight your resilience and ability to adapt to changing circumstances, especially when working with vulnerable individuals.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Multi-Agency Work
Since you'll be leading multi-agency safeguarding efforts, it’s important to understand how these collaborations work. Research local agencies and be ready to discuss how you would engage with them to support pupils and families effectively.