Parent Support Adviser & Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead - Norman Cornish Academy (Horizons Specialist Academy Trust) at Horizons Specialist Academy Trust in Spennymoor
About the role
- Norman Cornish Academy
- Whitworth Road
- Spennymoor
- County Durham
DL16 7QW
- Parent Support Adviser & Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead
- 37 Hours per week, term time only + 5 PL days
- Grade I - NJC SCP 19 - 22, Actual Salary £28,614 - £30,076
- Permanent Post
Are you passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning and supporting families to thrive?
Could you make a lasting difference to the lives of young people and their families?
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is looking to appoint a dedicated, compassionate and proactive Parent Support Adviser/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) to join the team at Norman Cornish Academy.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who believes that strong relationships with families are at the heart of successful education. You will play a vital role in supporting parents and carers, improving attendance and well-being, and helping our students overcome challenges so they can reach their full potential.
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust comprises eight Academies and one Sixth Form across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire area, supporting more than 1000 students aged 5 to 19 with a broad range of learning difficulties and additional needs.
Norman Cornish Academy, based in Spennymoor, County Durham provides education for approximately 75 students aged 11-16 whose primary needs relate to Social, Emotional, Mental Health and/or Behavioural Difficulties (SEMHD).
Our work is centered on understanding each young person’s individual needs, removing barriers to learning and working collaboratively with families and professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes.
About the role
As Parent Support Advisor/DDSL, you will build positive, trusting relationships with parents and carers, providing practical advice, guidance and tailored support to help families navigate challenges and engage fully with their child’s education.
Working closely with academy leaders, staff, safeguarding colleagues and external agencies, you will help identify vulnerable students early, co-ordinate effective support and ensure that safeguarding remains central to everyday practice.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Supporting families: Providing one-to-one, including home-based, support to parents and carers who need additional help with parenting and family challenges.
- Early intervention: Identifying vulnerable students and working collaboratively with senior staff and partner agencies to develop effective support strategies through Early Help and Early Intervention processes.
- Improving attendance and engagement: Working with students, families and staff to address barriers to attendance, promote well- being and increase participation in education.
- Promoting achievement: Helping to tackle underachievement by ensuring students and families can access educational opportunities and overcome barriers to learning.
- Strengthening parental partnerships: Working with academy staff to develop effective family engagement and support the achievement of the Leading Parent Partnership Award.
- Safeguarding children and young people: Undertaking the role of Lead Professional, where appropriate, for Child Protection, Child in Need and Early Help cases, in liaison with senior staff and safeguarding leads.
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities: Supporting the Trust Lead, senior leaders and Academy Designated Safeguarding Lead to embed Trust policies, maintain effective safeguarding practice and meet statutory requirements.
- Leading on attendance: Contributing to improved student outcomes by taking a lead role in supporting the academy to meet its whole- school attendance responsibilities and targets.
About you
We are looking for someone who is approachable, resilient and committed to helping young people and their families achieve positive outcomes.
You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of people, including parents, carers, students, colleagues and external professionals.
Experience of working with young people with additional needs and challenging behaviour would be an advantage. Knowledge of Family Help, Early Intervention and safeguarding procedures are essential.
Why join Norman Cornish Academy?
This is an opportunity to take on a rewarding and meaningful role where your work can have a genuine impact on students’ lives and the wider family community.
You will have the opportunity to build positive relationships, strengthen links between home and school, support vulnerable young people and contribute to a culture in which every student is given the opportunity to flourish.
If you are passionate about family support, safeguarding and improving outcomes for young people, we would love to hear from you.
Come and meet us
Visits to Norman Cornish academy are warmly welcomed. To arrange this please email HSATHR@horizonstrust.org.uk.
An application form and further information is available to download from the Horizons Trust website or by emailing HSATHR@horizonstrust.org.uk
Completed application forms should be returned by 12 noon on Friday, 6th November, 2026 to: HR Department, Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, c/o Abbey Hill Academy, Ketton Road, Stockton-on-Tees. TS19 8BU or by email to HSATHR@horizonstrust.org.uk.
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. As part of our recruitment process online searches will be conducted. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and appropriate references and pre-employment checks.
