Career & Work Experience and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Keyham Lodge Secondary School

Salary: Grade 9 Pay Point 19-22 (Approximate starting salary of £23,174)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 31.25 hours weeks per year and 39 weeks per year. ( Term Time at 38 weeks, plus INSET days and additional one week)

We’re searching for an inspiring Careers & Work Experience Lead who will also serve as our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). This pivotal role shapes our all‑through careers programme, opens doors to meaningful experiences with local employers, and leads best‑practice safeguarding across the school.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide impartial careers information, advice and guidance—supporting students to explore options, set realistic action plans and develop employability skills.
• Design and deliver group learning through seminars, workshops and tutorials that bring the world of work into the classroom.
• Act as the key contact for college/university applications, ensuring timely, accurate support.
• Organise work placements and maintain strong partnerships with local businesses; ensure documentation and resourcing are in place, and coordinate staffing for Work Experience Week.
• Champion safeguarding—keep SLAs, QA and Risk Assessments up‑to‑date; ensure visibility of safeguarding information off‑site; lead audits and maintain robust records on CPOMS; and represent safeguarding at relevant meetings.
• Support behaviour strategies and deliver purposeful 1:1 sessions.
• Lead Project Weeks: link KS4 activity to National Careers Week and embed careers themes across KS3 projects.
• Coordinate mock interview training and suitable programmes (e.g., through Leicestershire Cares).
• Maintain productive relationships with the Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and undertake quarterly monitoring using Compass Plus; attend relevant meetings and conferences.
• Track destinations—oversee checks on leavers and monitor progression using a RAG‑rated database, raising concerns in line with procedure.
• Keep our careers website up‑to‑date as a central hub for guidance, resources and monitoring.
• Engage with the Employment HUB/DWP to unlock apprenticeships, training and progression opportunities, coordinating staff involvement to build employability skills.
• Lead transition to college or APS: develop robust plans, use tools such as PS‑16, track and support student progress, and maintain safeguarding documentation.
• Liaise with external partners and schools to identify companies offering placements and deepen employer links.
• Coordinate family support—manage referrals to multi‑agency services and maintain CPOMS updates, monitoring and analysis for SLT.

Why Choose Keyham Lodge School?

Keyham Lodge is a vibrant and diverse special school for KS3 and KS4 students, welcoming both girls and boys. Every student has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and many have experienced disrupted education before joining us. We are relentless in removing barriers to learning, closing attainment gaps, and providing an inclusive, child‑centred, learning‑focused environment. Our aim is to ensure the academic, personal and social development of all students so they can fulfil their potential in school and in the wider community.

We celebrate individual talents and believe education extends beyond the core curriculum and the classroom. Our curriculum is adapted to prepare students for their next stage, whether in further education or the workplace. Our diverse intake—from a wide range of ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds—enriches our unique values and ethos and strengthens our commitment to belonging and ambition for every child.

Qualifications:

• Level 6 qualification in Careers Guidance (or degree‑level education).

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in careers/employability organisations, including delivering guidance and presentations, interviewing and stakeholder engagement—ideally with school‑based experience.

 Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification to support your application.

You may be required to attend training courses, conferences and seminars as part of your ongoing professional development and the school’s needs.

Responsibilities may vary over time without changing the overall character or level of the role.

Why Join Us?

Professional Growth & Support

• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Access to learning networks and visits to other organisations.
• Supportive leadership and a highly committed team.
• Highly committed and motivated Team.
• A role which has the opportunity to make a real difference whilst having fun.
• A established Central Services Team who support schools and wider colleagues.

Work-Life & Wellbeing Benefits

• Flexible working options.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Defined benefit pension scheme.
• Be an integral member of the team in a vibrant school.
• Create an outstanding learning environment for the success of all of our children.
• Play a significant part in continuing to develop our school.
• Be part of a wider community of Discovery Schools Trust.
• Free childcare.

Additional Perks

• Free parking.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Gym discounts.
• Eyecare vouchers.
• Dental support.
• Retail discounts.
• Annual incremental pay increases within the pay scale.

Equal Opportunities & Accessibility

We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.
Applications are welcome from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity, ethnic origin, disability, age or sexual orientation. If you require assistance completing your application, please contact hrsupport@discoverytrust.org for support.

Depending on your role, occasional travel between Discovery locations may be required. A valid driving license and appropriate business insurance are necessary, and you will need to provide evidence of these documents

More about Discovery Schools Trust

Discovery Schools Trust is dedicated to improving learning and teaching by creating a culture that promotes excellence. The needs of all children are placed at the heart of all decision making regardless of the school they attend. Teaching and learning excellence are shared through learning networks, sharing of ideas and materials as well as leading practitioners between schools. Discovery has developed a school improvement system which focuses on improving outcomes for all children. It also places staff development, talent management and succession planning at the heart of achieving outstanding organisations.

Please note that interviews for this position may be made earlier than the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to submit their applications promptly. Early submission will not only ensure consideration for the position but also increase the likelihood of being invited for an interview. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to receiving your application.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding our pupils; therefore, the successful applicant will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and references.

Inclusion Matters 

Discovery Schools Academies Trust promotes the employment of disabled people and will make reasonable adjustments to the role where appropriate.

AI

While we acknowledge the advantages of AI in crafting personal statements for applications, we strongly encourage and expect applicants to personalise and tailor responses. Please note that the Trust may utilise AI checking solutions during the application review process and will be considered when shortlisting. 

Apply Now!
If you are ready to make a difference in children's lives, apply today!