Position
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) & Family Liaison Officer
About the School
Stretton Shires School is an independent day and residential school located in the Rutland countryside, catering for autistic young people and those with associated needs, offering specialist secondary education for pupils aged 11–18.
Responsibilities
* Lead all safeguarding and child protection matters, including managing referrals to children's social care, the police, Channel and DBS, while keeping accurate and secure case records.
* Act as the school's expert point of contact for staff, providing guidance, support and training on safeguarding, early help and child welfare concerns.
* Attend and contribute to multi‑agency meetings, strategy discussions, child protection conferences and reviews, ensuring effective partnership working with external agencies.
* Keep the Headteacher informed of safeguarding issues, ongoing investigations and concerns involving staff, and liaise with LADO where required.
* Build strong, trusting relationships with families, offering support, guidance and signposting to help remove barriers to learning and improve pupil wellbeing.
* Work proactively with parents/carers to promote positive attendance, engagement and behaviour, supporting families to understand school expectations and routines.
* Identify families who may benefit from early help, coordinating interventions and contributing to assessments, plans and multi‑agency reviews.
* Support vulnerable pupils with social, emotional or behavioural needs, working with staff to develop personalised support strategies that promote safety, inclusion and positive outcomes.
Qualifications and Experience
* Significant experience in safeguarding, child protection and/or family support.
* Excellent judgement, emotional resilience and the ability to manage sensitive and complex situations.
* Strong communication skills – able to interact confidently with children, families, staff and external agencies.
* Up-to-date knowledge of statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
* Proactive, organised and committed to improving outcomes for children and families.
* Ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively as part of a wider pastoral and safeguarding team.
Benefits
* Life assurance.
* Pension scheme with options to increase contributions.
* “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks.
* Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including health, wellbeing and insurance benefits, hundreds of UK and international discounts, Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme, Critical illness cover, Family Growth Support, enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support.
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