Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead; DDSL

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Wessex Lodge School, Frome, Somerset BA11 4LA

Salary:
From £26,000 per annum depending on experience

Hours:

40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Job Title: DDSL with expansive duties

• Location:
  
  Wessex Lodge School, Frome, Somerset BA11 4LA
• Hours:
  
  40 hours per week | Monday–Friday
• Salary:
  From £26,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
• Contract:
  
  Permanent | Term Time Only
• Start:
  July 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

At Wessex Lodge School, safeguarding isn't simply a responsibility – it's at the heart of everything we do. We’re seeking a compassionate, proactive and highly organised Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) to join our Welfare Team and play a pivotal role in ensuring that every child and young person in our care feels safe, supported and empowered to thrive.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about safeguarding and wants to make a meaningful difference within a specialist educational setting. As part of our Middle Leadership Team, you'll work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to champion a culture of vigilance, care and high expectations across the school.

• Act as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns on site, escalating matters appropriately to the DSL and Headteacher.
• Monitor and manage safeguarding concerns through SLEUTH, ensuring concerns are triaged, recorded and followed up effectively.
• Record and oversee all physical interventions, ensuring documentation is completed on the same day and all actions are implemented promptly.
• Conduct debriefs with staff following incidents, providing support and reflection before reporting outcomes to senior leaders.
• Make referrals to Children's Social Care, the Channel Programme and, where appropriate, the police, with support from the DSL.
• Attend and contribute to strategy meetings, child protection conferences and multi‑agency discussions.
• Maintain accurate, confidential safeguarding records in line with GDPR, KCSIE and information‑sharing guidance.
• Support colleagues by providing expert advice and guidance on safeguarding, child protection and welfare matters.
• Promote positive engagement with parents and carers, particularly where families may be facing complex circumstances.
• Monitor the welfare and educational outcomes of vulnerable pupils, identifying barriers to attendance, engagement and achievement.
• Work alongside senior leaders to implement interventions that improve pupil engagement, behaviour and outcomes.
• Produce evidence of safeguarding interventions and their impact for the Headteacher and Governors.
• Ensure safeguarding files are accurate, up to date and transferred appropriately when pupils move schools.
• Champion a culture where children's voices are heard, valued and acted upon.
• Lead and contribute to staff, parent and pupil voice activities focused on safeguarding and wellbeing.
• Participate fully in training, supervision, performance management and continuous professional development.

• Passionate about safeguarding and committed to improving the lives of children and young people.
• Experienced in safeguarding practice, ideally within an educational setting.
• Educated to Level 2 Safeguarding standard or above.
• Knowledgeable about Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and child protection procedures.
• Organised, resilient and able to prioritise effectively under pressure.
• An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work sensitively with children, families and professionals.
• Confident working independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team.
• Committed to confidentiality, equality and professional integrity.
• Passionate about ensuring that every pupil achieves the very best outcomes academically, socially and emotionally.
• Full UK Driving Licence required.

• 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…