Designated Safeguarding Lead – Orchard Hill College, Kingston

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for a college region, overseeing safeguarding issues affecting children and vulnerable adults. The DSL provides guidance and support to students and staff, engages with families, liaises with the Local Authority, collaborates with external agencies, and maintains accurate records of safeguarding activities.

Key Responsibilities

(Listed on JD)

• To develop strong, trusting relationships with students, parents, and carers, ensuring they feel supported and empowered.
• To facilitate access to external services, such as health professionals, social workers, and local community support.
• Be responsible for regularly reviewing student attendance and implement measures and strategies to support and improve attendance to include home visits.
• To promote a positive, inclusive college culture that values family engagement and well-being.
• To act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who will be responsible for overseeing complex cases, working alongside internal and external teams and agencies.

Key Requirements

(Listed on PS)

• Training in safeguarding and child protection
• Additional qualifications in SEND, mental health, or family intervention
• Experience working with children and families, preferably within an educational or social care setting

Orchard Hill College is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

Rewards & Benefits

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• 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)

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.