Deputy Head of Student Services

Shaftesbury; Poole; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized educational institution in Poole, England, is seeking a passionate Deputy Head of Student Services to lead on inclusive practices and champion the voice of students with complex needs. The role involves responsibility as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring every student feels valued and supported. The ideal candidate will have experience in pastoral roles and a strong understanding of safeguarding, with a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all.

Qualifications

• Experience in a pastoral, SEND or multi-agency role.
• Strong understanding of supporting children with complex needs.
• Commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance in safeguarding, attendance, and welfare.
• Act as DDSL for the designated cohort.
• Build partnerships with families.

Skills

Strong leadership

Effective communication

Team-building

Understanding of SEND

Creativity

Emotional intelligence

Resilience

Education

Qualification in the education of children with SEN

Job description

Job description

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?

Victoria School is a nurturing, forward-thinking community that values collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.

For further details, including a job description, person specification and application form, please email:[e-mail]

Applications close: 21.01.26 (we reserve the right to close the advert before this date should suitable applications be received).

Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged. Please call 01202 763697 or email [e-mail]

Shaftesbury Victoria School, part of the disability charity Shaftesbury, is located in Poole, Dorset. The school provides education for children in the primary and secondary age range.

Our students have a range of complex physical and learning needs, including ASC.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and all relevant safeguarding checks.

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.