Family Liaison Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Full Job Description

At OFG Education we believe in giving you more time to do the things you love outside of work

Job Title:   Family Liaison Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Location:  Medway Green School, Wouldham, Rochester, ME1 3TS
Hours:       37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 08.30 - 16.00
Salary:       up to £30,000 per annum (dependant on experience, not pro rata)
Contract:   Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         January 2027 
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you an experienced safeguarding professional who believes that strong relationships with families can transform a young person's education and future?

At Medway Green School, we're looking for a compassionate, proactive and experienced Family Liaison Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our team and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our students and their families.

This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days will be the same. You'll be a trusted link between home and school, helping families overcome challenges, improving attendance and engagement, and ensuring vulnerable students receive the care, guidance and support they need to thrive.

As our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, you'll also play a vital role in protecting and promoting student welfare, working closely with school leaders and external professionals to ensure safeguarding concerns are managed effectively.

You'll also take the lead in coordinating admissions and transitions, helping new students and their families feel welcomed, reassured and supported from their very first contact with the school.

If you're passionate about safeguarding, skilled at building relationships and motivated by making a lasting difference, this could be the perfect next step in your career.

What You'll Be Doing

• Be a trusted point of contact for families, building positive relationships and providing practical guidance, early intervention and pastoral support.
• Champion student wellbeing and attendance, identifying barriers to engagement, supporting vulnerable students and coordinating attendance improvement strategies, including Children Missing Education processes.
• Support and strengthen safeguarding, acting as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, managing concerns, referrals, risk assessments and safeguarding records in line with statutory guidance.
• Work closely with external agencies, attending Child Protection Conferences, Child in Need meetings, Early Help reviews and other multi-agency meetings to secure the right support for students and families.
• Lead admissions and transitions, coordinating school tours, assessments, consultations, welcome arrangements and personalised transition plans for new students.
• Bring professionals and families together, working alongside teaching, wellbeing and therapy teams to support EHCPs, individual support plans and positive student outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records, monitoring safeguarding actions, attendance, admissions and family support interventions.
• Help create a safe and inclusive school community, promoting positive behaviour, family engagement and a culture where safeguarding and student wellbeing are everyone's responsibility.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a confident, approachable and organised professional who can balance the sensitivity of safeguarding responsibilities with the warmth and understanding needed to support families.

You'll need to bring:

• Previous experience working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) – essential.
• Experience attending Child Protection Conferences, Child in Need meetings, Early Help meetings and multi-agency safeguarding forums.
• A strong working knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and child protection procedures.
• Experience supporting vulnerable children, young people and families, including addressing barriers to attendance, engagement and wellbeing.
• Confidence working with social care, local authorities and other external professionals to coordinate effective support.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage sensitive conversations professionally and compassionately.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate, confidential safeguarding and administrative records.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, to support the requirements of the role.

It would also be advantageous to have:

• Experience working in a specialist education or SEMH setting.
• Safeguarding Level 3 training.
• Experience coordinating school admissions and student transitions.
• Familiarity with safeguarding and attendance management systems.
• Knowledge of SEND, EHCPs and personalised support planning.

About Us

At OFG Education, we believe every student deserves an education designed around who they are. Through high expectations, deep expertise and truly personalised education, we help students realise their potential and prepare for successful futures.

Building on more than 20 years of experience, we are bringing our approach to more students and communities around the world. Across the UK, Iberia and the Gulf, our schools combine the strength, expertise and high standards of an international education group with the individuality of each school and the communities they serve.

Whatever your role, joining OFG Education means contributing to our shared ambition: empowering every student to success through truly personalised education.

About Our School

Medway Green School is a specialist school in Wouldham, Kent, supporting students with SEMH needs and autism whose mainstream placements have broken down. The school provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment with small classes and personalised support tailored to each pupil’s needs. Our creative curriculum combines academic, vocational, and wellbeing-focused learning, helping students build confidence, independence, resilience, and social skills. Pupils benefit from a therapeutic approach that supports emotional and personal development alongside education. Working closely with families, we foster strong relationships and a sense of community. Medway Green empowers every student to thrive, achieve their potential, and prepare for life beyond school.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

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

OFG Education 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, OFG Education 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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