Careers Lead
Harbour School Dorset, BH20 6NU17 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
15 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
26 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week (8.30am – 4.30pm Monday-Thursday, 8.30am – 1pm on Fridays)
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £33,699 – £36,363 full time equivalent; actual salary £28,839 – £31,118 for term time only working
What skills and experience we're looking for
Compassionate. Supportive. Purposeful.
Do you believe every young person deserves to step into their future with confidence, clarity, and hope?
At Harbour School Dorset, we’re looking for a Careers Lead who can help students discover their strengths, understand their choices, and take meaningful steps toward the world beyond school.
Our students all have their own stories – and we honour every one of them. We’re searching for someone who sees potential where others might see barriers, who listens with empathy, and who celebrates progress in all its forms. If you know that a single positive conversation can change a young person’s direction for life, we’d love to meet you…
Who you are:
- Someone who communicates with warmth, clarity and confidence
- Calm, patient and able to stay grounded when things feel challenging
- Naturally able to build trust with young people, families, colleagues and partners
- Organised, reliable and comfortable juggling different priorities
- Experienced in supporting young people or providing careers guidance
- Either already holding a Level 4 Careers/Advice & Guidance qualification, or open to training toward it (Level 6 desirable)
- Confident working inclusively, especially with vulnerable and SEND students
- Someone who truly believes every young person can thrive – sometimes they just need the right person walking alongside them
What you’ll be doing
- Leading a careers programme that inspires students to explore their strengths, dreams and next steps
- Offering kind, impartial 1:1 and group guidance that helps young people feel understood and supported
- Working closely with vulnerable and SEND students to make transitions smoother and more confident
- Guiding students through key milestones, including Year 9 options and post‑16 choices
- Creating meaningful opportunities – work experience, workplace visits, employer encounters and events that open doors
- Building supportive partnerships with employers, colleges, training providers and community groups
- Celebrating student progress by tracking destinations and sharing successes with senior leaders
- Managing careers platforms and keeping clear, accurate records that help the programme grow
- Working collaboratively with families, staff and external agencies to ensure every student feels seen, valued and hopeful about their future
What the school offers its staff
About us
We’ve come so far over the last 3 years, growing to capacity with around 150 students. And this is just the beginning for us as we shape our future…
Our approach is relational, trauma-informed and rooted in understanding behaviour as communication. We believe every child can thrive with the right support, progress looks different for every student, relationships come before results, consistency changes lives.
What we can offer:
- A skilled, compassionate, genuinely supportive team who reflect together, and understand the emotional weight of the work
- Friday afternoons off
- Strong induction and ongoing training
- Career progression within Southern Education Trust, where our shared vision is “making lives better”
- A school that celebrates progress, not just academic data
- A role where the impact is real, human and lasting
Further information about the job
At Harbour School Dorset, we don’t expect perfection – just passion, commitment, and a deep belief in the potential of every young person. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear your story.
Become part of our journey by completing our Support Staff Application Form and returning it to recruitment@southern.education if you would like to apply (please see our Careers Lead Job Description and our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy for further information). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Isabel at the recruitment address, who will be happy to assist you.
Closing Date: 15th March 2026
Interview Date: 26th March 2026
Please note: Applications may be viewed on receipt and interviews arranged sooner than the above date.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Harbour School Dorset
- School type
- Free School, ages 10 to 19
- School size
- 140 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 10 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Harbour School Dorset website
- Email address
- recruitment@southern.education
Arranging a visit to Harbour School Dorset
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@southern.education.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed