Role: Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Location: Barnet, London — a five minute walk from High Barnet tube station
Start Date: November 2026
Salary: Band 8 of the Ark Support Scale for Outer London which ranges from £36,041 - £42,764
Contract: Full time, term time only plus 10 days
The role
We are seeking to appoint an experienced, committed and highly organised Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) to support the continued development of our strong safeguarding culture at Ark Pioneer Academy. This is an exciting opportunity to join a truly exceptional team and play a key role in ensuring that every child at Ark Pioneer is safe, supported and able to thrive.
In this pivotal role, you will support the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with all safeguarding and child protection matters across the school. You will act as a first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, lead on casework, liaise with external agencies, and ensure robust, compliant safeguarding systems and processes are in place. Your work will be central to promoting pupil wellbeing, early help and effective intervention across the school.
What’s special about this role?
This role sits at the heart of the school’s pastoral and safeguarding systems, ensuring that every child receives timely and appropriate support. You will work closely with the DSL, senior leaders, pastoral teams and external agencies to maintain the highest standards of safeguarding practice. Key aspects of the role include, but are not limited to:
- Acting as a key point of contact for safeguarding concerns and referrals
- Managing safeguarding casework and maintaining accurate, secure records
- Supporting the DSL with the implementation of statutory safeguarding duties
- Coordinating early help interventions and liaising with external agencies
- Contributing to multi-agency meetings, reports and action plans
- Ensuring compliance with “Keeping Children Safe in Education” and all Ark safeguarding policies
- Promoting a culture of vigilance, professional curiosity and early intervention across the school
Your work will play a crucial role in protecting pupils, promoting wellbeing and strengthening our safeguarding provision.
Who are we looking for?
At Ark Pioneer, we believe every child has the right to feel safe, valued and supported at school—and safeguarding is fundamental to achieving this. We are looking for someone who shares this belief and who brings:
- Prior safeguarding experience, ideally in a school or similar setting
- A strong understanding of child protection, early help and statutory guidance
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- High levels of organisation, discretion and professional judgement
- Confidence in managing sensitive information appropriately
- The ability to analyse information, identify risks and act swiftly
- A proactive, solutions-focused and compassionate approach
Experience working in education is desirable, but candidates with relevant safeguarding experience in social care, youth work or related sectors are also encouraged to apply.
Why will you love our school?
There are lots of reasons! We’re lucky to be based in a brand-new building with top class facilities. We serve a wonderfully diverse community - we are non-denominational, mixed gender and two fifths of our pupils receive pupil premium funding. We’re led by our values - Aim High, Have Integrity, Be Kind and Model Determination and our team truly unite behind our vision. Curriculum is incredibly important to us and we’ve planned backwards from university readiness to give our pupils the very best in every subject discipline. Our team say: ‘All staff are incredibly supportive and positive and it is a great environment to work in’. Read more about our school here
What are the benefits of working with Ark?
We are lucky to be part of the Ark network of schools. Ark offers bespoke professional development to all team members. Joining our network opens a breadth of opportunities - many of our team have taken on leadership roles progressing from one of our sister schools. Ark employees have benefits including everything from shopping discounts to a supportive and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme. In short, you won’t find a better network of schools to join! Read more about Ark here
Would you like to find out more?
If you’d like to speak to our HR and Administration Manager, Chloe Conces about this role please email her - [email protected]
Safeguarding
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, click here.