Welcome to Ada!

We are the Government’s National College for Digital Skills and are passionate about educating, supporting and creating the next generation of digital pioneers in our Sixth Form and our Apprenticeship Programme.

We are a growing college with a sixth form and an Apprenticeship Programme based in our new home in London Victoria, and an Apprenticeship Programme in Manchester.  Our new permanent home for both London programmes (6th form and Apprenticeships) in the heart of Pimlico is a short 10 minute walk from Victoria. We have a very diverse student body from a wide range of backgrounds and are committed to using tech as a tool for social mobility. We offer a supportive culture for students and staff and our excellent industry links ensure students are prepared for the Tech Industry and teachers and leaders get regular formal and informal CPD to support their teaching and technical knowledge and development.

We are a specialist digital college where all our students are passionate about tech and we are committed to supporting them to progress onto highly skilled roles in the digital sector. All students study computer science for at least 50% of their curriculum, with regular off-curriculum industry projects with partners such as King Games, Deloitte, Bank of America and Salesforce.

We are passionate about high quality teaching and learning, using industry’s problems to bring education to life for our learners and thinking of innovative new approaches to communicating some of tech’s more challenging concepts.

Our students achieve highly across all subjects and progress to an amazing range of destinations. These have included: Deloitte, Vodafone, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, BT, BBC, Oxford University, Nottingham University, Queen Mary University and many more with over 70% progressing to their first choice destination.

We received Good with Outstanding Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development in our latest Ofsted inspection in March 2023.

Purpose of the Role:

As Safeguarding and Wellbeing Officer, you are a champion for student safety and well-being at Ada. You will play a crucial role in fostering a safe and supportive environment where every student can thrive. Your primary focus is to ensure the safeguarding of all students, proactively identifying and responding to any concerns, and promoting their physical and emotional well-being. You will work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and other staff members to implement effective safeguarding strategies, provide guidance and support to students, and contribute to a culture of vigilance and care across the college.

This role involves:

• Proactive safeguarding: Taking a leading role in preventing and responding to safeguarding concerns, ensuring compliance with statutory guidance and best practices.
• Well-being support: Providing pastoral support, advice, and guidance to students experiencing difficulties or requiring additional support.
• Collaboration and training: Working collaboratively with staff, parents, and external agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to safeguarding and student well-being.
• Policy and procedure development: Contributing to the development and implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring they are up-to-date and effective.

This is a critical role within Ada, requiring a dedicated and compassionate individual with a strong commitment to student welfare and a thorough understanding of safeguarding best practices.

Main Responsibilities:

Safeguarding:

• Lead safeguarding investigations: Conduct thorough and timely investigations into safeguarding concerns, ensuring appropriate record-keeping and reporting in line with college policies and legal requirements.
• Risk assessment and management: Identify and assess potential risks to student safety and well-being, developing and implementing effective risk management plans.
• Provide safeguarding training: Deliver training and guidance to staff and students on safeguarding best practices, raising awareness of potential risks and promoting a culture of safety.
• Liaise with external agencies: Collaborate effectively with external agencies, including social services, police, and health professionals, to ensure appropriate support and intervention for students.
• Stay up-to-date: Remain informed about current safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practices, ensuring the college's safeguarding policies and procedures are always compliant.

Well-being:

• Early intervention and support: Provide early intervention and support to students experiencing emotional, social, or behavioral difficulties, offering guidance, resources, and referrals as needed.
• Develop well-being initiatives: Contribute to the development and implementation of well-being initiatives and programs that promote positive mental health and emotional resilience among students.
• Individual support plans: Create and implement individual support plans for students with specific well-being needs, working collaboratively with parents, teachers, and external agencies.
• Counselling and guidance: Offer individual or group counselling and guidance to students on a range of issues, including stress management, anxiety, and relationship difficulties.
• Promote a positive environment: Foster a positive and inclusive college environment where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to seek help when needed.

General:

• Maintain accurate records: Ensure accurate and confidential record-keeping of all safeguarding and well-being concerns, interventions, and outcomes.
• Contribute to policy development: Participate in the review and development of college policies related to safeguarding, well-being, and student support.
• Promote awareness: Actively promote awareness of safeguarding and well-being issues within the college community, organizing events, campaigns, and resources to support students and staff.
• Undertake continuous professional development: Engage in regular training and professional development opportunities to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in safeguarding and well-being best practices.

Essential Experience

● Evidence of the Ada values: Creativity, Curiosity, Collaboration, Resilience and Rigour ● Experience working with young adults (14 - 24 years)

● Monitoring and reporting on student or employee progress

● Addressing and successfully challenging concerning young people’s behaviour

● Establish and maintain positive relationships and engagement with young people, parents and carers and colleagues

Desirable Experience:

● Experience supporting young people with personal, safeguarding and emotional well-being. i.e Mental health, L2 Safeguarding training

● Working knowledge of relevant policies/codes of practice

● Motivating and engaging a variety of young people.

● Experience of supporting vulnerable or at risk young people

● Coaching or mentoring experience

Personal Qualities, Aptitudes and Skills:

● Excellent organisational and time management skills

● A passion for supporting young people and their wellbeing

● Strong collaborative working skills

● High level of proficiency in the use of day to day IT systems

● Good workplace skills and experience such as written skills, teamwork, project management, communication

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills

● An interest in technology and the digital industry

Other Requirements:

● Ability to inspire young people

● Ability to communicate effectively with parents/carers and supporting them to support their 4

young person

● Self-starter who enjoys taking ownership of workload

● Able to undertake some travel, as necessary for the role

● A commitment to on-going personal development

● A willingness to work flexibly and where necessary outside of normal working hours

● Suitable to work with young people and vulnerable adults in accordance with Government guidelines for safeguarding

Safeguarding

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check when appointed to the post. References for shortlisted candidates will be requested prior to the interview day. Further information about the DBS be found at www.gov.uk

Remuneration and Benefits

Hours: 9am - 5pm

Salary: £24,500 - £28,000 dependent on experience.

Selection process: Application; interview and tasks relevant to the post

Holidays: 45 Days during the college holidays ( broadly in line with Local Authority term Dates)

Start date: January 2025 (or sooner if available before this date)

DBS: All employees undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

Pension: Stakeholder Pension

Equal opportunities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition 5

and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the College’s commitment to equality and diversity:

To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;

To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;

To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the College are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;

To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation;

To promote good relations between individuals from different groups.

Applicants with disabilities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please HR@ada.ac.uk.

How to apply

Please complete the application form and submit a letter addressing how you meet the person specification and email to jobs@ada.ac.uk. If you have any questions about the role or for a confidential conversation about the post, please contact jobs@ada.ac.uk putting ‘Application query for Safeguarding and Wellbeing Officer” in the email title.

Closing date for applications - 30th November 2024

Thank you for your interest in Ada. National College for Digital Skills.