Student Welfare Officer and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Don Valley Academy, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN5 9DD

10 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  23 February 2026

• Closing date

  19 January 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  8 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Grade G Points 20 to 24 (£32,597 to £35,412 Full Time Equivalent) subject to pro rata. The minimum actual pro rata salary per annum for this job starts at £29,142.38.

What skills and experience we're looking for

As a Student Welfare Officer,you will assist in tackling underachievement by working in partnership with families, parents/carers, students and external agencies in a school context to enable students, particularly the most disadvantaged to have full access to educational opportunities and overcome barriers to learning and participation. You will work directly with families in a non judgemental way empowering them and their family to get the most out of the educational opportunities available.

You will also support the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in the academy in your role as Deputy DSL.

Please see the job description on our website for the essential criteria and more information on the role.

If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience required for this position, then we would very much like to hear from you.

What the school offers its staff

Our most recent Ofsted inspection was in July 2024. There has been no change to the Academy’s overall judgement of ‘Good’ as a result of this ungraded (Section 8) inspection. However, the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might be ‘Outstanding’ if a graded (Section 5) inspection were carried out.

Inspectors said that:

“The school has an exceptionally consistent approach to teaching. Pupils learn effectively

because of careful teacher explanation followed by opportunities to practise and apply

their knowledge. Teachers routinely check that pupils understand. Pupils value the

consistency in lessons. They know that this is how they learn and remember.”

This outcome is testament to the hard work and commitment of the staff in the Academy and also to the students, parents/carers and wider community that the Academy serves. We will continue to strive forward to give students in our Academy the opportunities to achieve their best possible outcomes and life chances.

Don Valley Academy is proud to be an EEF Research. One of only 33 Research Schools across England, we work to exemplify our evidence informed teaching and learning strategies, share what we know about putting research into practice, and support schools in the region to make better use of evidence to inform and improve their teaching and learning.

This has been achieved by having dedicated and enthusiastic staff who are committed to giving our community an extraordinary educational experience. Having secured our students their best Y11 outcomes and working in state of the art facilities, we welcome you to come and join us. We pride ourselves on being the most dynamic and energetic Academy and are looking for someone who wants to be part of something special.

We are a vibrant, oversubscribed, Academy with over 1100 students on roll. We serve a mixed community however, despite these challenges, you will find Don Valley students to be polite and engaged with their learning.

As a community we embrace all opportunities and strive to support and challenge each other. We have a comprehensive professional development calendar which is tailored specifically to meet the current needs. Staff enjoy the leadership opportunities found within our ‘DEEPs’ model and are able to gain experiences of roles across the Academy from Aspiring Leaders to Associate Assistant Principals.

Collaboration is at the heart of the Academy for both students and staff and you will find Don Valley Academy to be positive and reflective towards their own professionalism, with wellbeing as a pivotal aspect of our Academy ethos.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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.

About Don Valley Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1101 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Don Valley Academy website
• Email address: edgarb@donvalleyacademy.org.uk
• Phone number: 01302 651035
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/don-valley-academy

At Don Valley Academy our ethos is ‘Changing lives through belief and collaboration’. We believe that our core purpose is to prepare young people to enter a fast moving and rapidly changing environment. To prepare them for such a challenge we work to develop their skills, knowledge and resilience which in turn will enable them to achieve the highest possible qualifications. Don Valley Academy works with the students to ensure that they learn in a happy and caring environment. Whilst there is a strong emphasis on academic achievement all students are encouraged to take part in extra curricular activities outside the classroom. The Mission of the Academy is 'Changing Lives'. To improve educational outcomes for the North of England, creating a sustainable organisation that improves our society and the wider community. It is essential for our success to maintain high standards at all times and this is only possible with collaboration between staff, parents and students. Our challenge is to provide the global education that gives our students the tools necessary to compete in the world market and by working together we can do this.

Arranging a visit to Don Valley Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email edgarb@donvalleyacademy.org.uk.

School location

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