DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
Salary: Scale PO3/4, SP 41 – 44, £39,292.30 - £41,805.24 per annum (FTE £49,050 - £52,187 per annum) inclusive of London Weighting Allowance
Location: Copthall House, although may be required to travel
Working Pattern: 5 days per week, Term Time Only
Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding Specialist College (Ofsted, April 2025) offering life-changing learning opportunities to young people and adults with a range of special education needs and/or disabilities. We operate vibrant community-based College Centres across London and Surrey, where committed specialist teams deliver a variety of programmes designed to meet the diverse needs of our students.
Students who study with us have a wide range of needs including profound and multiple learning disabilities, communication and behavioural difficulties and specific medical needs. All students are individual, and their learning programme is designed to support and empower them to achieve their aspirations and goals, whilst developing skills to become more independent members of their community.
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)
Our Trust
The College is an Academy sponsor and established Orchard Hill College Academy Trust in 2013 which is home to 13 special schools. Together Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust provide for over 1500 pupils and students with SEN across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our vacancies page.
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.
It is an exciting time to be part of OHC and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the college directly. Visits to the College in advance of applications are encouraged.
Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.
To apply for this role, please click ‘Fast Apply’, you will then be directed to a ‘Login’ page, once signed in, please complete and submit the Application Form.
Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.
Closing Date: 08/12/2025
Interviews will take place on: 19/12/2025
Safeguarding Statement
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.