Family Support Worker and DSL

Acorn Care and Education; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist school in Cambridgeshire is seeking a Family Support Worker and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). You will lead safeguarding efforts, support students in overcoming barriers to learning, and work collaboratively with staff and external agencies. The role offers a salary of £26,000 annually, working 40 hours per week. Comprehensive benefits include life assurance and mental health support services.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a similar pastoral, safeguarding, or family support role is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding and child protection across the school.
• Build strong relationships with pupils to support learning.
• Monitor attendance data and implement support strategies.

Skills

Safeguarding experience

Relationship building

Data analysis

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Family Support Worker and DSL

Location: Papworth Hall School, Papworth Everard CB23 3RD

Salary: £26,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start: October 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we are offering a fantastic opportunity for a Family Support Worker and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join our close-knit team at Papworth Hall School, part of Options Autism.

What you’ll do

• Lead safeguarding and child protection across the school, including strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings.
• Support staff in understanding their statutory safeguarding responsibilities.
• Build strong, positive relationships with pupils to identify and remove barriers to learning and attendance.
• Monitor and analyse attendance data, identify concerns, and implement strategies to support pupils returning to school.
• Manage referrals to local authority children’s social care or the Channel programme as required, guiding staff through the process.
• Work closely with colleagues, families, and external agencies to provide a holistic support service for pupils.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of school policies and ensure staff can access and apply safeguarding procedures effectively.
• Previous experience in a similar pastoral, safeguarding, or family support role is highly desirable.

About Us

Papworth Hall School is in the picturesque village in Cambridgeshire. It is within close proximity to Huntingdon and Cambridge. Our new specialist school caters for young people with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs and has the capacity for 30 students.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

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

• 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
• Flexibile Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 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

*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.

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