The Propeller Academy Trust
Home School Link Worker/DSL/ELSA
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Home School Link Worker/DSL/ELSA
Home School Link Worker & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Reigniting Learning, Nurture, Connect, Thrive
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families?
We are seeking a dedicated Home School Link Worker to join our senior team at Hawthorn Academy.
This is a pivotal role, offering the opportunity to make a lasting impact by:
- Building strong family relationships to empower them
- Embedding a robust safeguarding culture
- Driving outstanding outcomes for pupils aged 11–16 with complex Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- Combining Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) responsibilities with targeted emotional support through ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)
- Championing school attendance, engagement, and well-being
Hawthorn Academy is a new specialist school in Bracknell, part of The Propeller Academy Trust, dedicated to providing high-quality, inclusive provision for pupils with needs such as SEMH, ASC, SLD, and PMLD.
What We Offer
To support you in this meaningful role, we provide:
- Competitive salary
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing training (including safeguarding and emotional support programmes)
- Paid wellbeing days, free flu vaccinations, and on-site parking
- Flexible working arrangements
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Refer-a-friend benefit (earn up to £500)
- A therapeutic, nurturing, and collaborative school culture
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Key Responsibilities
This role requires a multi-faceted, leadership-focused approach:
Core Duties
-
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
- Lead all safeguarding and child protection responsibilities
- Oversee the safeguarding culture and work closely with Deputy DSLs
- Ensure statutory training is up-to-date for staff
-
Home School Link Worker:
- Build trusting, empowering relationships with families
- Deliver targeted emotional support (ELSA-trained or qualified)
- Provide practical support to improve attendance and well-being
-
Attendance & Engagement:
- Walk attendance and engagement problems collaboratively with families
- Support Early Help Assessments and participate in multi-agency meetings
- Design and deliver parent workshops (e.g., autism awareness, communication strategies)
-
Record Keeping & Compliance:
- Maintain accurate, confidential, and high-quality records
- Contribute to school audits and safeguarding returns
-
Collaboration:
- Work with external agencies, school teams, and broader Propeller Academy Trust initiatives
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Requirements
To excel in this role, you should have:
Essential
- GCSE English & Maths (grade 4–9 or equivalent)
- Approved DSL training (or commitment to complete within a set period)
- Experience working with children and families, preferably in schools or special needs settings
- Proven interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong organisational and IT proficiency
- Empathy, resilience, and adaptability
- Committed to safeguarding standards and inclusive practices
Desirable
- ELSA qualification or training (e.g., from The Schools Emotional Literacy Project)
- Leadership/coordination experience (e.g., structured Home/School Link Worker roles)
- First-hand experience of complex SEN conditions: SEMH, ASC, SLD, PMLD
- Knowledge of Early Help processes and Essex Local Authority protocols (if applicable)
Application Process
Interested candidates should apply [via this link](INSERT LINK NOT PROVIDED). Early applications are encouraged.
For further details or to arrange a visit, contact: Sandra Allen (recruitment@hawthornacademy.org.uk) Tel: 0118 3592449
Join Hawthorn Academy in our mission to nurture, support, and empower all our pupils and their families. Apply today!
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