Assistant Head of Inclusion/DSL

Service Care Solutions; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Senior leadership opportunity

Interim role with potential for perman

Competitive daily rate £265 Umbrella

Job summary

Service Care Solutions is seeking an experienced Interim Assistant Head of Inclusion / Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for a specialist education setting in West London. This senior role combines strategic safeguarding leadership with hands-on case management and inclusion work.

You will lead safeguarding, manage complex cases, coordinate multi‑agency interventions, and supervise pastoral staff while promoting a strong safeguarding culture across the setting.

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum two years' recent experience as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Strong knowledge of child protection procedures and multi‑agency working.
• Experience supporting neurodiverse pupils, ASC and SEMH.
• Experience leading, developing or supervising staff.
• Excellent communication, leadership and decision‑making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee safeguarding arrangements as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Manage a complex caseload of vulnerable pupils and families.
• Coordinate multi-agency interventions including Early Help, CIN and CP.
• Provide leadership across behaviour, attendance, pastoral support and inclusion.
• Supervise, support and develop the pastoral team.
• Deliver safeguarding training and promote a strong safeguarding culture.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision-making

Staff supervision

Education

Degree in Social Work

Job description

Interim Assistant Head of Inclusion / Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Contract: Initially until January 2027

We are seeking an experienced and committed Assistant Head of Inclusion / Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join a specialist education setting in West London on an interim basis.

This is an exciting senior leadership opportunity for a strong safeguarding professional who can combine strategic leadership with a hands-on approach to complex safeguarding, behaviour, attendance, pastoral support and inclusion.

The Role

As Interim Assistant Head of Inclusion/DSL, you will:

• Lead and oversee all safeguarding arrangements as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Manage a complex caseload of vulnerable pupils and families.
• Coordinate multi-agency interventions, including Early Help, Child in Need (CIN) and Child Protection.
• Provide leadership across behaviour, attendance, pastoral support and inclusion.
• Supervise, support and develop the pastoral team.
• Deliver safeguarding training and promote a strong culture of safeguarding across the setting.
• Work collaboratively with staff, families and external professionals to ensure the best outcomes for pupils.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• A degree in Social Work or an equivalent relevant professional qualification.
• At least two years' recent experience working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Strong knowledge of child protection procedures and multi-agency working.
• Experience supporting neurodiverse pupils, particularly those with ASC and SEMH needs.
• Previous experience leading, developing or supervising staff.
• Excellent communication, leadership and decision-making skills.

Experience within specialist education or alternative provision would be highly advantageous.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive interim rate of £265 per day (Umbrella).
• Full-time, Monday-Friday working pattern.
• An opportunity to take on a senior leadership position.
• Initial contract through to January 2027.
• Potential for the role to become permanent.