ShaftesburyGroupUK
Head of Student Services (Upper or Lower School with DDSL responsibility)
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Head of Student Services (Upper or Lower School with DDSL responsibility)
Exceptional People Deserve Exceptional Staff
About Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury is a disability charity, offering care, education, vocational, and rehabilitation services.
The charity provides residential care, nursing, and supported living.
Within the education sector, Shaftesbury operates:
- Shaftesbury Victoria School, for students aged 3–19.
- Shaftesbury Millie College and Shaftesbury Nash College, for students aged 16–25. All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Some have profound and complex learning needs.
About the Role
We seek a passionate and values-driven leader to join us as:
Head of Student Services
This role will shape inclusive practice and champion the voice of students with diverse and complex needs, including ASC (Autism Spectrum Conditions), PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities), and neurodivergence.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead on pastoral support in upper school or lower school to ensure every student feels seen, heard, and empowered to thrive.
- Serve as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for an allocated student cohort (either upper or lower school).
- Focus on family liaison and advocacy, including the management of counselling, ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Aid), and other welfare services.
- Demonstrate leadership, communication, and team-building skills, bringing creativity, emotional intelligence, and resilience.
- Show an unwavering commitment to safeguarding and student wellbeing.
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Required Experience:
- Strong background in pastoral care, special educational needs and disability (SEND), or multi-agency roles.
- Understanding of supporting children and young people with physical disabilities and complex needs.
- Experience working with ASC students (desirable).
Strategic Duties:
- Ensure high standards of compliance in safeguarding, attendance, health, and welfare.
- Lead holistic safeguarding for the designated cohort.
- Build trusting partnerships with families and external agencies.
- Champion pupil voice, inclusion, and positive behaviour support.
- Contribute to the school’s continuous improvement agenda.
- Liaise with parents, local authority, and external partners.
- Support student self-advocacy, especially for non-verbal and neurodivergent learners.
- Drive inclusive classroom practice and equitable staffing models.
- Foster the school’s "Inclusion and Belonging" culture in alignment with the 2025 Ofsted framework.
- Utilise data to inform best practice, deliver safeguarding training, and embed inclusive approaches.
- Lead and manage a dedicated team.
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Safeguarding
⚠️ This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Shaftesbury Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and staff. All staff and volunteers share this duty. Enhanced DBS checks and rigorous safer recruitment processes apply to all roles.
Equality and Diversity
Shaftesbury is an equal opportunities employer. We positively encourage applications from candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity status.
We aim to create an inclusive work environment, reflecting the communities we serve. The post holder must uphold:
- The Equality and Diversity Policy
- The Code of Conduct, which sets ethical standards for staff and service users.
Application Process
⚠️ This role does NOT meet sponsorship requirements.
For the Job Description and Application Form, contact: Helen Malt, HR – VECHR@victoira.poole.sch.uk.
Closing Date: 06.05.26 Interview Dates: TBC
Early applications are strongly encouraged. Candidates may be considered before the closing date.
Visits to the setting are welcome by arrangement.
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