Family Liaison Officer (FLO) / Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

The Holden School (Firs Lane Site); Leigh; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist independent school in the UK seeks a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Liaison Officer to enhance family engagement and pupil welfare. The role involves coordinating support for vulnerable families and acting as a primary contact for safeguarding concerns. Ideal candidates should have strong communication skills and a commitment to safeguarding. This position offers a rewarding work environment dedicated to nurturing children’s development and well-being.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Qualifications

• Experience in safeguarding roles, preferably in educational environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills for engaging with families and children.
• Understanding of multi-agency support structures.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted point of contact for families seeking support.
• Coordinate multi-agency efforts to foster pupil welfare.
• Ensure a safe and supportive school environment.

Skills

Compassion

Organisational skills

Resilience

Education

Relevant certifications in safeguarding

Job description

. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our ongoing growth, The Holden School, part of Acorn Education, is seeking an experienced and dedicated Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Liaison Officer to join our supportive and committed team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding pupils and strengthening family engagement within a nurturing school environment.

About the Role

The Family Liaison Officer / Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead plays a vital role in strengthening relationships between home and school, supporting vulnerable families, and ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and pupil welfare. Working under the guidance of the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, you will act as a trusted point of contact for families, coordinate multi‑agency support, and contribute to a strong culture of safeguarding, attendance and inclusion across the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the main point of contact for families requiring additional support
• Engage proactively with vulnerable families to develop and coordinate appropriate support packages
• Promote positive pupil attendance and lead on attendance monitoring and planning across the school
• Build strong, trusting relationships with parents, carers and pupils, setting high expectations
• Signpost families to appropriate services and make referrals where necessary
• Carry out home visits and support transition into school when required
• Maintain regular contact with families to encourage positive engagement in learning and school life

Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensure safeguarding training remains current
• Support the DSL in managing safeguarding concerns and referrals
• Refer cases of suspected abuse or neglect to children’s social care and support staff with referrals
• Make referrals to Channel, the Disclosure and Barring Service, or the police where appropriate
• Attend and contribute to multi‑agency meetings and strategy discussions
• Maintain detailed, accurate and secure safeguarding records in line with school policy

Multi‑Agency and Pastoral Support

• Liaise professionally with external agencies including Social Care, Housing, NSPCC, Early Help, YOS, Police and transport providers
• Support the development and implementation of Attendance Plans, Individual Education Plans and Behaviour Plans
• Promote inclusion, self‑esteem and independence for all pupils
• Provide guidance and feedback to parents and carers regarding pupil progress and wellbeing
• Support transport arrangements and, where required, assist with the administration of routine and emergency medication

This role is suited to a compassionate, organised and resilient professional who is committed to safeguarding, family engagement and improving outcomes for children and young people.

About Us

The Holden School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5to 16, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life. We are a Therapeutic Led, Trauma Informed School providing individualised curriculums for our students supported by our Class Teams, our Pastoral Team and our own Therapists.

We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them academically and socially, to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.

We are part of Acorn Educationand can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including :

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including :

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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