Application Deadline: 12:00pm on Friday 22nd May 2026.
Interviews : Thursday 28th May or Friday 29th May 2026 (TBC).
Start Date: 1st September 2026 (or sooner).
Role: SENDCO and DSL.
Area: Poole, Dorset.
Contract type: Full-time and Permanent.
Hours of work: Monday to Friday 08:30-16:30.
Salary: £45,000 p.a.
Entitlements:
- 30 days holiday, 8 Bank Holidays, Christmas Eve & your birthday.
- Standard Government workplace pension (Nest).
- 45p per mile travel (excluding commuting).
Extras:
- Laptop
- Phone allowance
- Car park permit/allowance (if applicable)
Role Purpose
The SENDCO/DSL is responsible for the day-to-day safeguarding and effective support given to all the young people in our alternative education provision (online and in-person). The post holder ensures high-quality, safe, and inclusive provision that meets statutory requirements and delivers positive academic, social, and emotional outcomes for all young people, including those with SEND. The SENDCO/DSL will participate in tutoring and mentoring as required by business demand and complete all administrative responsibilities during other working hours. The SENDCO/DSL will form part of the management team, deputise for the Director (when required) and work closely with all employees and contractors working on behalf of A Star Learning Services Ltd.
While the main hub is located at: Hub @ Flaming Peaches, 28 Benson Road, Poole, you many be required to work from a variety of areas for example:
- FOUNDRY, 10 Dolphin Centre, Poole.
- Public community spaces, e.g. library.
- Student houses in BCP/East Dorset area.
- On-site in schools in BCP/East Dorset area.
- Pre-arranged events, e.g. SEND conferences.
- Remote from home.
Key Responsibilities:
The following contains a breakdown of the key responsibilities that the post holder will undertake on a regular basis, but there will be occasions when additional duties are also required (that are reasonably in line with overall management responsibility).
Leadership & Management:
- Provide strong, values-led SEND and safeguarding practice across all operations.
- Support recruitment, induction, and retention of high-quality staff/contractors.
- Provide annual safeguarding updates to all staff.
- Create student profiles based on relevant information given to us by clients.
- Be a friendly and supportive figure for all employees and contractors.
- Foster a positive, trauma-informed culture that prioritises safeguarding, wellbeing, and inclusion.
- Hold employees’ and contractors’ performance to account.
Quality of Provision:
- Ensure delivery of a high-quality, personalised curriculum for all learners.
- Monitor tutoring, mentoring, and assessment to ensure progress and impact.
- Oversee behaviour support strategies, restorative practices, and maximise engagement.
- Ensure procedures meet Alternative Provision voluntary standards and relevant local authority expectations.
Safeguarding & Compliance:
- Act as the named Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Take appropriate action on any safeguarding concerns not requiring referral.
- Complete referrals to social care when required.
- Ensure robust safeguarding procedures are in place and being used correctly.
- Responsible for the upkeep of internal safeguarding concern administration.
- Maintain compliance with statutory guidance, including SEND, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and Equality Act requirements.
- Adhere to all relevant GDPR regulations.
Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Coordinate with relevant stakeholders, e.g. schools, EHCP case officers, social care.
- Attend termly and annual reviews (including EHCP) for young people.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, schools, commissioners, and external agencies.
- Attend relevant SEND and safeguarding conferences and training events.
- Communicate effectively with parents/carers and professionals.
Operational Management:
- Ensure safe and secure operation of learning environments (key holder responsibility at Flaming Peaches) on a daily basis.
- Oversee the updating of compliance information on the Single Central Record.
- Generate student reports and send to client, adhering to tight schedules.
- Contribute to the process of submitting tenders for new local authority contracts.
Essential:
Desirable:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- Proven leadership and management experience.
- SENDCO qualification.
- Held a SENDCO role in a busy school for minimum 2 years.
- Ability to write, update, and summarise EHCPs to a high quality.
- At least Deputy DSL experience in a busy school.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, SEND, SEMH, and behaviour management.
- Experience working with vulnerable children and young people.
- Excellent communication, organisational, IT, teamwork, and decision-making skills.
- Multi-skilled in the area of education.
- Experience working within alternative provision, SEND, PRU, or related settings.
- Leadership qualification(s).
- High demand subject specialism, such as English, Maths or Science.
- Knowledge of the Government White Paper with proposed changes to SEND.
- Training in trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches, or therapeutic models.
- Knowledge of secondary school and post-secondary educational pathways.
SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
A Star Learning Services Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, successful references, and relevant compliance checks.
ANNUAL REVIEW
The job description will be reviewed in March of every year to update the responsibilities in line with organisational growth and performance management.
Next steps:
Download the information pack here:
Application form and safeguarding self-disclosure:
Email completed application form and safeguarding self-disclosure to justin@astarlearningservices.com, or click the button below:
or
post/hand-deliver in a sealed envelope to:
Justin Talbot, A Star Learning Services Ltd, FOUNDRY, Poole, BH15 1SR.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
Email completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to hello@yourpeopledevelopment.com or click the button below:
or
post/hand-deliver in a sealed envelope to:
Lisa Hills, c/o A Star Learning Services Ltd, FOUNDRY, Poole, BH15 1SR.