Child & Family Support (DDSL) & Pastoral Lead

greater jobs; Whitefield; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Ribble Drive Primary School in Whitefield, part of The Collective Community Trust, invites an experienced Child and Family Support (DDSL) & Pastoral Lead to join our caring team. Based at Ribble Drive, you will support pupils, families and staff within safeguarding and pastoral roles.

The role is permanent, 32.5 hours per week, term-time only, with responsibility under the DSL, building relationships, leading early help, trauma-informed practice, and coordinating with SENCO and external agencies

Qualifications

• Experience in safeguarding leadership or equivalent
• Ability to build strong relationships with families
• Commitment to trauma-informed, relational and restorative practice
• Support for children with SEMH needs
• Collaborate with attendance teams, SENCOs and external agencies

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day safeguarding concerns and records as DDSL, escalating and consulting with the DSL in accordance with school procedures.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with families, offering early support and signposting to specialist services.
• Champion our trauma-informed, relational and restorative behaviour ethos: Ready, Respectful, Safe and Kind.
• Support children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs to regulate, participate and thrive.
• Work alongside the attendance team to address barriers to regular attendance and punctuality.
• Work effectively with the SENCO, school staff, the Local Authority and external agencies, including through Early Help and multi-agency processes.

Job description

Collaborative, Innovative, Inclusive

Child and Family Support (DDSL) & Pastoral Lead

Permanent

Grade 9 £24,696 - £27,563

(dependant on experience)

32.5 hours per week (Term-time only)

Required from January 2027 or as soon as possible

The Collective Community Trust is responsible for seven primary schools. We are committed to providing high quality support services to the schools in the Trust to achieve the very best for our pupils.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Child and Family Support (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) & Pastoral Lead to join our team of caring, committed team of professionals. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and dedicated individual to join our school team, based at Ribble Drive Primary School, Whitefield. Our aim is to ensure that Ribble Drive is a happy, safe, attractive and motivating environment where everyone can fulfill their full potential. Our school motto is “Be the Best You Can Be.”

Do you believe that positive relationships can transform children’s lives? Are you an approachable, resilient and compassionate professional who can support families, champion inclusion and help every child feel safe, valued and ready to learn?

Ribble Drive Community Primary School is a welcoming, inclusive, one-form-entry primary school and part of The Collective Community Trust. We are seeking an experienced Child and Family Support (DDSL) & Pastoral Lead to join our committed team at an exciting stage in our school improvement journey.

This is a pivotal role at the heart of our school community. Working under the supervision of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will undertake day-to-day Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) responsibilities, provide sensitive and practical support to children and families, and be a trusted first point of contact for parents and carers.

We are looking for candidates who can:

• Manage day-to-day safeguarding concerns and records as DDSL, escalating and consulting with the DSL in accordance with school procedures.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with families, offering early support and signposting to specialist services.
• Champion our trauma-informed, relational and restorative behaviour ethos: Ready, Respectful, Safe and Kind.
• Support children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs to regulate, participate and thrive.
• Work alongside the attendance team to address barriers to regular attendance and punctuality.
• Work effectively with the SENCO, school staff, the Local Authority and external agencies, including through Early Help and multi-agency processes.

We will offer:

• Wonderful children and a school community that values kindness, belonging and ambition.
• A supportive, committed team and opportunities for professional development.
• The chance to shape pastoral and family support provision and make a tangible difference.
• Support from school leaders and colleagues across The Collective Community Trust.

Employees of The Collective Community Trust have a responsibility for, and must be committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and for ensuring that they are protected from harm. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), the recruitment process will include online searches and checks on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any issues that may be relevant to their suitability to work with children.

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory disclosure at the appropriate level under the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In line with safer recruitment, please ensure that your application covers your full employment history and there is a reason noted for any gaps in employment. Successful candidates will be asked to provide relevant references for the past ten years and character references will not be accepted.

Closing date: Monday 30th November 2026 @ 9am

Shortlisting: Monday 30th November 12pm

Interviews: Friday 4th December (am)