Safeguarding Officer

What skills and experience we're looking for

Do you have experience overseeing safeguarding at a school level? We are looking for an Safeguarding Officer to join our dedicated academy team at Harris Lowe Academy Willesden.

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Qualifications to degree standard or equivalent
• A clear and good understanding of safeguarding issues, theory and practice
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft software with knowledge of using a management Information system for input and export of student data Knowledge of the range of agencies that work with students and their families.
• Training in child protection and safeguarding procedures
• Knowledge of many of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Demonstrated experience in improving attendance or managing welfare cases in an educational setting
• Experience of coordinating alternative provision or working with external providers.
• Proven track record of working with families and external agencies to address barriers to learning
• Knowledge and understanding of attendance legislation and alternative provision standards
• Awareness of barriers to attendance and engagement, particularly in disadvantaged communities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage students, families, and professionals
• Ability to manage complex caseloads and meet deadlines effectively
• Competence in data analysis and using management information systems to track attendance and provision outcomes

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

What the school offers its staff

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Further details about the role

As safeguarding officer, you will be expected to:

• Refer cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children's social care
• Support staff who make referrals to local authority children's social care
• Refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern
• Support staff who make referrals to the Channel programme
• Refer cases where a crime may have been committed to the Police as required
• Prepare information to present to the Principal, Academy Governors, ALG and Ofsted
• Manage CPOMS
• Update and maintain student safeguarding files
• Attend safeguarding meetings
• Help co-ordinate the collection of information for children's services and other agencies
• Be a point of contact for issues of child protection
• Where students leave the school, ensure their child protection file is transferred securely to the new school as soon as possible and for new admissions, request files
• Ensure the staff physical intervention and pupil search log is maintained and accurate
• Help to monitor safeguarding training for all staff and specifically for Designated Persons and status of training including refresher course

Commitment to safeguarding

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.