Deputy Head of Student Services (Upper or Lower School with DDSL responsibility)

Job reference:006314

Salary:£30,201 up to £30,614 per year. Salary dependant on experience

Department:Education

Hours Per Week:40

Closing date:06/05/2026

Job Description

Exceptional People Deserve Exceptional Staff

About Shaftesbury Statement

Shaftesbury is a disability charity offering care, education, vocational and rehab services. The charity also provides residential care, nursing and supported living.

Within the education sector, Shaftesbury has one school, Shaftesbury Victoria School, and 2 further education colleges, Shaftesbury Millie College and Shaftesbury Nash College. The school is for students aged 3-19, and the colleges are for students aged 16-25. All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), as well as physical and/or intellectual disabilities, and some have profound and complex learning needs.

About the Role

Victoria School is seeking a passionate and values-driven leader to join our team as Deputy Head of Student Services. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate on inclusive practice and champion the voice of students with diverse and complex needs, including ASC, PMLD, and neurodivergence.

You will support the Head of Student Services on pastoral support issues in upper school or lower school, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and is empowered to thrive. This strategic role includes responsibility as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for an allocated cohort (either upper school or lower school) and a key focus on family liaison and advocacy, including support for our counselling, ELSA and other services.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure high standards of compliance in relation to safeguarding, attendance, health and welfare.
• Act as DDSL for a designated cohort, ensuring holistic safeguarding.
• Build strong, trusting partnerships with families.
• Champion pupil voice, inclusion, and positive behaviour support.
• Contribute strategically to the school’s leadership and continuous improvement agenda.
• Liaise effectively with parents, external agencies, and the local authority.
• Support student voice and self-advocacy, including for non-verbal and neurodivergent learners.
• Drive inclusive classroom practice and equitable staffing.
• Support the school’s “Inclusion and Belonging” culture in line with the 2025 OFSTED framework.

The Person

• Has experience in a pastoral, SEND or multi-agency role.
• Understands the complexities of supporting children and young people with physical disabilities and complex needs.
• Demonstrates strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Has an unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting pupil wellbeing.
• Brings creativity, emotional intelligence, and resilience to the role.

Qualifications

• Qualification in the education of children with SEN (Desirable)

Experience

• Recent experience of working with and/or teaching pupils with special educational needs within a school setting (Desirable)
• Experience of working with ASC students (Desirable)

Why Join Us?

What you will enjoy:

• Make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of students, and their ability to access education and the wider community.
• Work alongside a dedicated, passionate team in a supportive, inclusive environment.

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. It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and will follow our rigorous safer recruitment processes.

Equality and Diversity

Shaftesbury is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Shaftesbury aims to create and sustain an inclusive work environment which provides equality of opportunity for everyone and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The post holder is required to uphold the Equality and Diversity policy and comply with the code of conduct which sets out our standards of behaviour towards those who use our services or work within them.

Application Process

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLE DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SPONSORSHIP

Job Description and Application Form on request – please contact: Helen Malt VECHR@victoria.poole.sch.uk

Closing date: 06.05.26

Interview Dates; TBC

Early applications are strongly encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the advert should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate before the above dates.

Visits to the setting are welcomed, and encouraged, by arrangement.