Mental Health & Wellbeing Lead (DDSL)
| Company: | senploy |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £160 to £170 a day |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | WC2N 5DU |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Posting date: | 2 Sept 2026 |
| Closing date: | 30 Sept 2026 |
Summary
Location: East London
Pay: Competitive, depending on experience
Hours: Full-time
Start Date: ASAP / September start available
School Type: SEMH Specialist Setting
We are currently working with a specialist SEMH school in East London that is looking to appoint an experienced and passionate Mental Health & Wellbeing Lead / Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).
This is a senior and highly rewarding role for someone with strong experience supporting children and young people with complex SEMH needs, mental health difficulties, safeguarding concerns and challenging behaviour.
The Role
As Mental Health & Wellbeing Lead and DDSL, you will play a key role in creating a safe, supportive and trauma-informed environment where pupils can regulate, engage and achieve.
You will work closely with the Headteacher, SLT, DSL and SENCO, providing strategic leadership across mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and pastoral support.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading and developing a whole-school approach to mental health, wellbeing and safeguarding
- Supporting pupils with complex SEMH needs, trauma, emotional dysregulation and mental health difficulties
- Deputising for the DSL and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns and disclosures
- Making referrals to Children's Social Care, MASH/Front Door, police and other relevant agencies when required
- Maintaining accurate and confidential safeguarding records using systems such as CPOMS or MyConcern
- Working closely with social care, CAMHS, Local Authorities and other external agencies
- Attending and contributing to Child Protection, Child in Need and Team Around the Family meetings
- Overseeing targeted 1:1 and small-group wellbeing and emotional regulation interventions
- Supporting pupils experiencing mental health crises and periods of acute dysregulation
- Developing reintegration plans for pupils experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
- Working alongside the SENCO to ensure mental health and safeguarding support aligns with EHCP outcomes
- Delivering staff training around safeguarding, mental health, de-escalation and trauma-informed practice
- Supporting parents and carers with strategies around wellbeing, emotional resilience and child safety
- Monitoring the impact of interventions and using appropriate assessment tools to inform support
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who is experienced, resilient and passionate about improving outcomes for young people.
You will ideally have:
- At least 3 years' experience working with children or young people with complex SEMH needs
- Strong safeguarding experience, including managing disclosures and making referrals to Children's Social Care/MASH
- Experience working within an SEMH school, PRU, Alternative Provision or similar specialist setting
- Advanced Level 3 / DSL safeguarding training
- Senior Mental Health Lead training or equivalent
- A relevant degree or professional qualification in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Education, Nursing or a related field
- Strong knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Experience with safeguarding systems such as CPOMS or MyConcern
- Excellent behaviour management, crisis management and de-escalation skills
- A strong understanding of trauma, adverse childhood experiences and neurodiversity
- The ability to build positive relationships with pupils, staff, families and external professionals
- Excellent communication, organisation and record-keeping skills
- A calm, empathetic and non-judgemental approach
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced SEMH and safeguarding professional to take on a key leadership role within a specialist setting.
You will have the opportunity to make a genuine difference to vulnerable young people, while working closely with a dedicated multidisciplinary team and helping shape the school's approach to mental health, well-being and safeguarding.
If you have the experience and passion to make a real difference in the lives of young people with complex needs, we'd love to hear from you.
Please apply below