SENCo and Designated safeguarding lead (DSL)

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At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy. We’re thrilled to announce the opening of Trimdon Hill School, a brand-new Options Autism school in County Durham, providing exceptional education and support for pupils with Autism and other complex needs.

Do you have the skills to fill this role Read the complete details below, and make your application today.

We are now recruiting a dedicated SENCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to join the team and help shape the future of this school.

Title: SENCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Location: Trimdon Hill School, Durham, TS29 6EY

Salary: £43,000 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday 8.30am-5pm | Tuesday 8.30am-4.30pm | Wednesday 8.30am-5pm | Thursday 8.30am-4pm | Friday 8.30am-4pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start date: February 2026

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

This is more than a dual role — it’s a career-defining opportunity to make a lasting difference in a school where creativity is encouraged, wellbeing is prioritised, and every child’s potential is celebrated.

As SENCo, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the quality and direction of our SEND provision. You’ll:

Lead the strategic development of SEND across the school, working closely with the Headteacher and therapy team

Oversee EHCPs, learning plans, assessments, and progression data to ensure each pupil receives personalised support

Guide and coach teachers in delivering high-quality, differentiated, and autism-aware learning

Build strong partnerships with families, local authorities, and external professionals

Promote a culture of inclusion, high expectations, and continuous professional growth

Lead on staff CPD, focusing on SEND, autism strategies, and evidence-based practice

Ensure full compliance with the SEND Code of Practice, safeguarding policies, and best-practice record keeping

As Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you’ll be at the heart of our safeguarding culture. You will:

Take lead responsibility for all safeguarding and child protection matters across the school

Be the first point of contact for concerns, responding swiftly and effectively in line with KCSIE and local authority procedures

Champion a trauma-informed, autism-aware approach to safeguarding

Deliver ongoing training and support to staff, building confidence and vigilance across the team

Maintain detailed and compliant records, referrals, and audits, and report regularly to governors

Represent the school at multi-agency meetings, ensuring pupil welfare is always the highest priority

Support staff in understanding and responding to the unique safeguarding needs of pupils with communication barriers

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a compassionate, resilient, and forward-thinking leader with a deep passion for SEND, safeguarding, and empowering young people with complex needs to thrive.

You’ll need to have:

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

A SENDCo qualification

Extensive experience supporting children with Autism and complex learning needs

Proven success as a SENCo, including leading EHCP processes and multi-agency collaboration

A thorough understanding of safeguarding frameworks and legislation (KCSIE, Working Together, Equality Act 2010)

Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills

The confidence to engage effectively with families, external professionals, and governors

Please note: This role is not suitable for ECTs/NQTs.

Trimdon Hill School isn’t just a new school — it’s a place where every child is supported to shine. Join us and help shape this exciting journey from day one!

About Us

Trimdon Hill School, located in Trimdon Grange, County Durham, is a brand-new school that opened in June 2025. The school caters for 40 pupils aged 4 to 11 years with a diagnosis of autism, who may also have a range of complex learning needs, communication challenges, and sensory difficulties.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running

Why join Options Autism? 

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions

“Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits

100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. xkybehq All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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Location:
Durham, Tyne And Wear
Job Type:
FullTime

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