Head of Student Services (Upper or Lower School with DDSL responsibility)

ShaftesburyGroupUK; Poole; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A dedicated educational institution in Poole, Dorset, is seeking a passionate Head of Student Services to lead inclusive practices and advocate for students with diverse needs. The role involves ensuring high standards of compliance in safeguarding and working closely with families. Candidates should demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills, along with significant experience in a relevant role. This critical position aims to foster an environment where every student feels empowered and included.

Benefits

Continued professional development and training

A meaningful impact on students’ learning

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a pastoral, SEND or multi-agency role is required.
• Understanding of complexities of supporting children with different needs.
• Experience working with ASC students is desirable.

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.
• Drive inclusive classroom practice and equitable staffing.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team-building

Creativity

Emotional intelligence

Resilience

Job description

About The Role

We are seeking a passionate and values-driven leader to join our team as Head of Student Services. This pivotal role will help to shape inclusive practice and champion the voice of students with diverse and complex needs, including ASC, PMLD, and neurodivergence.

You will lead on pastoral support issues in the 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 or lower school) and a key focus on family liaison and advocacy, including the management of counselling, ELSA and other services.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills. You will bring creativity, emotional intelligence, and resilience to the role and have an unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting student wellbeing.

Significant experience in a pastoral, SEND or multi-agency role is required along with an understanding of the complexities of supporting children and young people with physical disabilities and complex needs. Experience working with ASC students is desirable.

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.
• Use data to inform practice, deliver safeguarding training, and embed inclusive approaches across the school.
• Lead and manage a dedicated team.

Why Join Us?

• Join a school committed to equity, advocacy, and creating a sense of belonging for every student.
• Build and lead a dedicated, passionate team.
• Make a meaningful impact on students’ learning and personal development.
• Benefit from continued professional development and training.

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

Applications close

31.10.25 (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.