Student & Family Support Officer (Deputy DSL) - Little Heath School

Student & Family Support Officer (Deputy DSL)

Required Asap

Grade G -WBC Spinal Points-20-25 £32,597-36,363 p.a.

(pro rata £27,632-£30,823p.a.)

37 hours per week

8:00am-4.00pm Monday – Friday (term time only plus 2 Inset days and 2 weeks claimed as additional hours if required)

We are seeking a compassionate, relational, and highly motivated professional to join our Student Support Team in a pivotal role at the heart of our safeguarding and early help provision.

This is an opportunity to make a profound difference to young people and their families. As Student and Family Support Officer and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will work alongside senior leaders to ensure that every child feels safe, understood, and able to succeed.

You will play a central role in leading early intervention work, building strong and trusting relationships with families, coordinating My Family Plans, and contributing actively to Vulnerable Students Meetings. You will work collaboratively with external partners including social care, health, and other agencies, ensuring timely and effective support for those who need it most.

We Are Looking For Someone Who

• is deeply committed to improving life chances for young people
• can build authentic, trusting relationships with students and families
• understands safeguarding practice and the importance of professional curiosity
• is confident working within multi-agency systems and early help frameworks
• adopts a trauma-informed, restorative and solution-focused approach
• can remain calm, reflective and purposeful in complex or emotionally demanding situations
  
  

The successful candidate will act as a key adult for some of our most vulnerable students, supporting emotional regulation, reintegration following absence or suspension, and working proactively to address emotional-based school avoidance and attendance concerns.

Little Heath School is a highly successful comprehensive school (1658 on roll, including 366 in the Sixth Form) situated in a pleasant semi-rural setting to the west of Reading, with good access to road and rail links. The school has recently benefited from a significant and transformational building project, opening a new £15 million main block in spring 2021.

As a school, we pride ourselves on our Continuing Professional Development Programme, which supports teachers to continually improve their practice in innovative ways, collaborating with other members of staff.

For an application form and information pack please email recruitment@littleheath.org.uk . Please address supporting letter of application to the Headteacher.

Closing date for the receipt of completed applications is the 20 th of March 2026.

We reserve the right to interview before this date if a suitable shortlist is obtained, so early application is encouraged.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, and therefore the ability to converse at ease with pupils/members of the public and provide advice/instruction in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Little Heath School is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people; we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Little Heath School will ensure that all recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal records self-disclosure form and successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL

Little Heath Road, Tilehurst

Reading, Berkshire, RG31 5TY

Headteacher: Mr D J Ramsden