An exciting and challenging opportunity has arisen for a DDSL and Senior Mental Health Lead to join Westfield Academy from September 2026. This pivotal role is central to our commitment to the safety, wellbeing and emotional health of our students. The successful candidate will collaboratively closely with staff, families, and external agencies to foster a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.
You should have experience supporting children with social, emotional and mental health needs, alongside strong administrative skills and a collaborative approach. Please see the application pack for full details.
Main Purpose of Job
- Act as Deputy Safeguarding Lead for Westfield Academy and, in liaison with the Headteacher, to Lead Safeguarding in the Absence of the DSL
- To develop and oversee the whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing, including support for students, staff and the wider community. To identify the needs of all stakeholders and support the implementation of evidence-based strategies to address these needs. To support the Designated Safeguarding Lead to upskill staff so that they are able to support student’s mental health and wellbeing. To understand and build links with local mental health services and other external agencies. To champion the school’s commitment to delivering excellent outcomes in whole-school mental health and wellbeing.
Main Responsibilities and Duties
Safeguarding
- Work in line with statutory safeguarding guidance (e.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education, Prevent) and the school’s safeguarding and child protection policies
- Has the status and authority within the school to commit resources and support and direct other staff, within the remit of this post
- Acts as a source of support and expertise to the school community.
- Promotes a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings.
- Is alert to the specific needs of children in need, those with special educational needs and young carers.
- Has a working knowledge of Somerset Safeguarding children Partnership (SSCP) procedures.
- Develops effective links with relevant statutory and voluntary agencies including the SSCP.
- Has an understanding of locally agreed processes for providing early help and intervention.
- Attends and/or contributes to child protection conferences.
- Ensures that when a student leaves the provision, their child protection file is passed to the new school (separately from the main student file and ensures secure transit) and confirmation of receipt is obtained. The student’s social worker is also informed.
- Keeps a record of staff attendance at safeguarding training.
- Attends essential DSL training in line with statutory requirements and other safeguarding and child protection training as appropriate
Under the direction and guidance of the DSL, or in the DSL’s absence
- Keeps detailed records of all concerns via ‘My Concerns’ safeguarding software.
- Refers cases of suspected abuse to Children’s social care or police as appropriate.
- Notifies children’s social care if a child with a child protection plan is absent for more than two days without explanation.
- Supports the DSL with coordinating the school’s contribution to child protection plans.
- Ensures, in conjunction with the DSL, that all staff have read and understood the child protection policy, and other child protection documents. Ensures staff undertake statutory child protection training.
- Supports the DSL in ensuring that the child protection policy and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated annually, working with governors and proprietors regarding this.
- Liaises with the nominated Governor and Headteacher as appropriate.
- Makes the child protection policy available publicly, on the school’s website or by other means.
- Ensures parents are aware of the role in safeguarding and that referrals about suspected abuse and neglect may be made.
- The Deputy Safeguarding Lead is appropriately trained and, in the absence of the designated person, carries out those functions necessary to ensure the on-going safety and protection of students. In the event of the long-term absence of the designated person, the deputy will assume all functions above.
- Make staff aware of SSCP training courses and the latest policies on safeguarding.
Senior Mental Health Lead
Whole-school approach
- Create, implement and sustain a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing, including:
- Tailoring it to the school’s needs, including students, staff and parents
- Monitoring and evaluating the impact of the whole-school approach to continually improve it including asking for staff, student and parent feedback
- Build working links with appropriate local mental health services and external agencies to co-ordinate mental health provision across the school
- Support the development of a school-wide mental health and wellbeing policy that details the whole-school approach as well as guidelines and processes for staff to follow
- Create and maintain a comprehensive range of evidence-based resources to help students, staff and parents manage their own mental health
Supporting students
- Use and be able to adapt relevant tools to assess students’ mental health and wellbeing needs
- Develop, lead and oversee the delivery of interventions to address student mental health and wellbeing needs, including 1-to-1, group and whole-class support in conjunction with the Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Establish a clear process and act as the gatekeeper for referring students to the most appropriate mental health service.
- Develop effective plans to empower and involve students in contributing to the whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Working with and supporting staff
- Contribute to identify, plan, deliver and assess all training and development needs of staff with regard to supporting student mental health and wellbeing across the school, including providing INSET training.
- Develop training and resources to make sure staff understand the school’s interventions, and know how to spot early signs of poor mental health or wellbeing in students.
- Make sure all staff are aware of the school’s processes with regard to mental health and wellbeing, including the referral pathway for reporting and responding to mental health concerns.
- Work collaboratively with other members of staff, including the DSL, Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Parent and Family Support Advisor and Pastoral Team to discuss students who need mental health and wellbeing support
- Provide support for staff who are in contact with students with mental health needs to implement appropriate strategies.
- Confidentially signpost staff to appropriate mental health support. Champion staff mental health and wellbeing.
Working with and supporting parents/carers
- Liaise with parents/carers to discuss strategies that can help promote positive mental health for their child/ren for example training session, handouts etc.
- Provide guidance to parents/carers on navigating and accessing relevant local mental health services
- Promote mental health and wellbeing resources, strategies etc. via the termly parents update.
Monitoring, evaluating and administrating
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of interventions provided to individuals or groups of students or staff, to understand what is working and adapt the approach as needed, focusing on outcomes
- Gate-keep and monitor the implementation of mental health and wellbeing processes, including the referral process and adapt them as needed
- Make sure that record keeping is competent and clear at all times.
- Identify and apply for interventions, funding etc. to support the whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
- In conjunction with the DSL liaise with the governing board as required, such as by preparing reports on strategies, processes and interventions.
Essential training and ongoing development
- To attend essential Senior Mental Health Lead training and CPD
- Access and use tools, strategies and resources including external supervision to support own mental health and resilience
- Have up-to-date knowledge of the relevant local mental health services, including an understanding of the local triage and referral process for mental health support.
- Reflect on personal development needs, and the needs of the school, and attend relevant training in order to be effective in the role
- Attend conferences and/or workshops to acquire new knowledge and maintain understanding of best practice in school mental health and wellbeing.
Working with local services and external agencies
- Work in partnership with local service providers and mental health professionals to make sure the needs of students and relevant adults are known, understood and used to shape the local support offer.
- Identify and access the most appropriate statutory or independent mental health service provision available in the local area.
Please note, this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the post holder will carry out. You may be required to undertake other tasks and duties appropriate to the level of the role, and as directed by the Headteacher, SENCO or other senior member of staff.
Pay: £32,597.00-£36,363.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
