Parent Support Adviser & Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead

Dated: 19 Oct 2026

Are you passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning and supporting families to thrive?

Could you make a lasting difference to the lives of young people and their families?

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is looking to appoint a dedicated, compassionate and proactive Parent Support Adviser/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) to join the team at Norman Cornish Academy.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who believes that strong relationships with families are at the heart of successful education. You will play a vital role in supporting parents and carers, improving attendance and well-being, and helping our students overcome challenges so they can reach their full potential.

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust comprises eight Academies and one Sixth Form across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire area, supporting more than 1000 students aged 5 to 19 with a broad range of learning difficulties and additional needs.

Norman Cornish Academy, based in Spennymoor, County Durham provides education for approximately 75 students aged 11-16 whose primary needs relate to Social, Emotional, Mental Health and/or Behavioural Difficulties (SEMHD).

Our work is centered on understanding each young person’s individual needs, removing barriers to learning and working collaboratively with families and professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes.

As Parent Support Advisor/DDSL, you will build positive, trusting relationships with parents and carers, providing practical advice, guidance and tailored support to help families navigate challenges and engage fully with their child’s education.

Working closely with academy leaders, staff, safeguarding colleagues and external agencies, you will help identify vulnerable students early, co-ordinate effective support and ensure that safeguarding remains central to everyday practice.

• Supporting families
  :
  Providing one-to-one, including home-based, support to parents and carers who need additional help with parenting and family challenges.
• Early intervention
  :
  Identifying vulnerable students and working collaboratively with senior staff and partner agencies to develop effective support strategies through Early Help and Early Intervention processes.
• Improving attendance and engagement
  :
  Working with students, families and staff to address barriers to attendance, promote well-being and increase participation in education.
• Promoting achievement
  :
  Helping to tackle underachievement by ensuring students and families can access educational opportunities and overcome barriers to learning.
• Strengthening parental partnerships
  :
  Working with academy staff to develop effective family engagement and support the achievement of the Leading Parent Partnership Award.
• Safeguarding children and young people
  :
  Undertaking the role of Lead Professional, where appropriate, for Child Protection, Child in Need and Early Help cases, in liaison with senior staff and safeguarding leads.
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities
  :
  Supporting the Trust Lead, senior leaders and Academy Designated Safeguarding Lead to embed Trust policies, maintain effective safeguarding practice and meet statutory requirements.
• Leading on attendance
  :
  Contributing to improved student outcomes by taking a lead role in supporting the academy to meet its whole-school attendance responsibilities and targets.

We are looking for someone who is approachable, resilient and committed to helping young people and their families achieve positive outcomes.

You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build…