Job Introduction
Caterham High is on a journey to excellence – are you coming?
If you believe passionately in the importance of strong safeguarding and pastoral care that keeps children and young people safe, we would like to hear from you.
We are looking or a talented and ambitious individual to make a substaintial contribution to safeguarding all of our young people.
You will be able to work as part of a team but also on your own, you will be proactive and have a strong work ethic. This is an opportunity to play an active part in our school development. We want a dedicated, caring individual with a passion for changing the life chances of young people in a diverse, multi-cultural environment.
This Safeguarding Officer role offers an opportunity for a committed, motivated and passionate individual to train “on the job” to develop their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding within a school environment. The successful candidate will join a team of hard-working, supportive and competent safeguarding professionals with our school. The role offers the successful candidate a challenge that will be both rewarding and fulfilling. We welcome applications from those who are looking to further develop their career.
Caterham High School is on the next stage of our journey in pursuing excellence in every area of school life. If you would like to join us, working in an exciting period of development and change, then we would like to hear from you. We strive to achieve aspirational outcomes and provision for our children and young people, set within a culture of inclusion and high expectations.
We are justifiably proud of our recent ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement which recognised our positive learning environment, caring community and ‘strong culture of safeguarding’. Our high aspirations for all students were recognised by Ofsted through our commitment to provide an exceptional education for all of our students. We believe that every student has the potential to succeed, and we work hard to create an environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.
Main Responsibilities
The Safeguarding Officer will work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, and other Deputy Safeguarding Leads, to support the effective operation of the safeguarding service on a day to day basis in the school. The role and responsibilities of the Safeguarding Officer are include:
- Using a contextual Safeguarding approach, to promote safeguarding to the school community and be committed to the safeguarding of students, staff and the community, implementing best practice to do so
- Act as a champion of the school’s inclusive ethos supporting other groups of staff as appropriate
- Be alert to, and understand, the specific needs of vulnerable students and encourage a culture of listening to students and taking into account their wishes and feelings.
- To deliver high quality staff and student safeguarding related training
- To keep informed of current legislation, statutory and other guidance with regards to safeguarding, and data protection and confidentiality, child and adult protection, cascading the information accordingly
- To act as the first point of contact for staff and external agencies for any safeguarding or protection concerns, providing timely, relevant support and advice
- To make timely referrals and collate information as necessary to the DSL
- To make timely external referrals to a range of agency, including Children and Adult Social Care, in order to appropriately safeguard and support students
Please see job description for full details
The Ideal Candidate
Caterham High School expects all staff to work effectively as part of a team or teams, delivering high quality education and support to staff and students. As a minimum this requires dealing with people politely and tactfully, communicating with colleagues and students both formally and informally (but professionally), offering guidance and information in accordance with school guidelines, policies and procedures when requested and contributing to the maintenance of the school environment. In order to do this, staff are expected to make themselves aware of the relevant policies and procedures. All staff are required to maintain confidentiality as required.
Please note, the school will assess applications immediately on application and reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the closing date, and/or shortlist via online activities.
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Offer of a position is subject to receiving satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS Clearance.
In accordance with KCSiE, Safer Recruitment Guidelines and Data Protection Guidelines, we reserve the right to use social media as part of our recruitment processes. Further details are available from the LGA guidance note. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact the School.
About the school/organisation
Caterham High School is a fantastic and fulfilling place to work. Staff here work tirelessly to ensure that the students in our care are happy, rounded individuals who achieve the best outcomes they can. We are a truly inclusive community school that believes in high aspirations for all. We seek to nurture children’s talents and abilities, and to help our young people become confident, mature and responsible members of society who are able to fulfil their ambitions.
Caterham High is in an exciting period of development as we look to challenge ourselves to excel in all areas of the curriculum and provision. We are ambitious to become an Outstanding school, building on our own best practice and also looking outward for innovation and advancement. We encourage our staff to develop their skills and proficiencies and so we have in place a strong CPD and professional development programme.
We have high expectations of our students in terms of behaviour, learning and achievement from our youngest students through to our mature sixth formers. Our thriving Sixth Form caters for the diverse community that we serve providing a range of subjects and qualifications to suit all abilities including engaging vocational and demanding academic qualifications.
If you relish the opportunity to join us in our expectations of excellence, if you welcome opportunities for innovation and challenge, if you are excited to make a difference to children’s lives, then we welcome your interest and look forward to your application.
Belinda Chapple, Headteacher
Package Description
Competitive remuneration package plus benefits including
- Free on-site parking
- Free access to fitness suite
36 hours per week/term time only + 5 days