Are you a Designated Safeguarding Lead in need of some professional development, extra capacity and some TLC?
Are you a headteacher looking to support your Designated Safeguarding Lead in their professional development journey?
Designated Safeguarding Lead Mentoring will provide all of this and much, much more.
What is mentoring?
Suzanne Faure defines mentoring as, "a supportive learning relationship between a caring individual who shares knowledge, experience and wisdom with another individual who is ready and willing to benefit from this exchange, to enrich their professional journey". In a nutshell, I will support you in all aspects of your work as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, offer practical advice and tips, act as a non-judgemental sounding board and help you to realise your goals. I'll also offer the odd bit of policy-writing and checking, or development of resources to help out when you are snowed under. The joy of mentoring is that it is led by you and you decide what you want to discuss, work on or ask for help with.
Why do I need to do this?
Many safeguarding professionals in schools are at breaking point and need support from someone who has experience and understanding of the situation that they are in. As a former DSL myself, I know how isolating the role can be and it is so helpful to have someone to support you and only you in managing your work. Designated Safeguarding Leads give a lot and don't often have their cup re-filled. It is also difficult to work out what your career goals are when you are constantly reacting to things you are presented with. Mentoring helps you to establish what you want, offers the help that you need and provides you with an expert on hand, just when you need it.
Isn't mentoring only for people who are struggling?
Mentoring is valuable throughout your whole career. I have a mentor now! The joy of working in education is that you are always learning, always developing. Mentoring is a good thing and is for people who want to move on to the next level.
Is mentoring recommended?
Keeping Children Safe in Education (2020) states that DSLs , "should be given the time, funding, training, resources and
support to provide advice and support to other staff on child welfare and child
protection matters, to take part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings,
and/or to support other staff to do so, and to contribute to the assessment of children." Mentoring will give you the time, space and crucially the support to help you to feel confident about your role and to be able to effectively advise your staff. It will also help to demonstrate that your school has a culture of safeguarding and meets its statutory requirements.
What is included in the package of support?
- Regular meetings (online or in person)
- Phone support and advice on specific issues
- Identification of training and career goals and a clear written plan of attack
- Help and advice for whole school issues (need me to check a policy? Need me to have a look at a risk assessment? I can provide flexible support, as you need it)
- Ultimately this is driven by you, so I can tailor your package to your areas of interest and development
I'm sold - where can I find out more?
Just drop me an email, use the contact page or give me a call to discuss further. To find out more about my work, please follow me on Twitter @sosafeguarding.