Safeguarding and LAC Support Officer
What skills and experience we're looking for
Reporting directly to, and deputising for, the Trust Safeguarding and Early Help Lead, the Safeguarding and LAC Support Officer will play a a critical role in ensuring our academies meet all regulatory standards with regards to safeguarding and Looked After Children.Working closely with individual academy safeguarding teams and Designated Teachers, you will champion safeguarding at a senior level and support all operational aspects of safeguarding across the trust, including development, implementation and compliance, ensuring all HSAT’s procedures and practices are operationally sound and in accordance with both existing guidance and requirements, as well as best practice.
This will include case management and investigative work and experience of working with external partners such as the local authority and local safeguarding board. You will be a credible professional and be able to communicate effectively to a range of audiences including children, families, and external multi-agency organisations.
What the school offers its staff
Why work for HSAT?
At HSAT, we want to be an employer of choice for employees and for that reason we are very proud to be recognised by Investors in People as a Gold organisation.
We believe that the children and young people in our care deserve the very best staff who are highly effective at what they do. We want our employees to take pride and satisfaction in their work. This means that one of our fundamental priorities is to ensure that all our employees feel valued, knowing that the role they fulfil is vital to transforming the life chances of our children and young people.
Comprehensive Induction
When joining HSAT, you will have access to a detailed induction programme which is designed to ensure you feel confident in your new role from your first day with us. This is led by our HR team in partnership with our Professional Learning Leads, and focuses on our culture, safeguarding, site orientation, key people and HSAT expectations, amongst other things.We know the importance of a great start for our children and young people when they join one of our academies, so we place just as much importance on the way new employees transition into HSAT.
Tailored Training
We believe in giving our children and young people the best daily deal. To this end, all of our employees have access to individualised performance development programmes and tailored training to ensure we continue to do more and do it better.
We work with respected training providers, as well as having our own team of in-house trainers, harnessing a blended training platform of virtual and face-to-face sessions.
Tending the Team
At HSAT, we recognise that working in schools is extremely rewarding, but we haven’t lost sight of the fact that it is often challenging and burdensome. All our employees have access to our HSAT wellbeing offer to promote positive mental and emotional wellness.This centres around a suite of staff provision such as bite-size online wellbeing training to help maintain work-life balance, free access to professional counselling and even a health and wellbeing week each half term, during which all meetings are cancelled.
In short, we take care to care.
HSAT Central Team
As an employee at HSAT, you will benefit from our extensive and expert Central Team who are predominantly based at the Abbey Hill site. The Central Team deliver leadership, finance, estates, business operations, Safeguarding, HR and IT expertise to our academies with the intention of making it easier for others to do their job.Our Central Team work in partnership with our academy leaders to ensure that support is tailored to the needs of each academy.
Furthermore, we follow the School Teacher’s Pay and Conditions Document, the National Joint Council guidelines and recognise the continuity of service for all employees joining HSAT to ensure that our employees are looked after well compared with others in different settings.
We also offer access to a range of Health & Wellbeing packages including access to support for your physical and mental wellbeing.
Cycle to work Scheme - make savings on the costs of a new bike for the purpose of cycling to/from work.
Personal and Professional development opportunities
Supportive Family Friendly an Special Leave Policy
Access to the benefits of a Local Government Pension Scheme.
Further details about the role
Applicants will have an NVQ level 4 or equivalent qualification and/or a minimum of three years’ experience in an educational and safeguarding environment.
If you have any further questions/queries regarding this role please email the Trust Safeguarding and Early Help Lead – carly.beecroft@horizonstrust.org.uk .
Commitment to safeguarding
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safer recruitment practices and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed, this may include online searches. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.