Salary: Outer London Support Staff PayScale SC6/SO1, Pro Rata to £26,826.51 - £30,545.79 (FTE £33,417 - £38,050)
Location: Bedelsford Chaucer Centre, Canterbury Road, Morden SM4 6PX
Working Pattern: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8.30am – 3.30pm and Wednesday 8.30am – 4.30pm, Term Time only, 33.75 hours.
Start date: September 2025
The Department for Education (DfE) granted permission for Bedelsford School to open a temporary satellite site for children with special education needs in the London Borough of Merton in September 2025. Bedelsford Chaucer Centre will have capacity for 40 places in the first year with the potential to increase up to 80 children over a three-year period. The provision will be for children who have a range of moderate to severe learning difficulties and complex needs. This is likely to include Speech Language and Communication Needs and may also include Autism Spectrum Conditions and other associated areas of need.
The DfE has also given approval for OHCAT to open a brand new purpose-built Free School in Merton and the aim is that pupils and staff will transfer across to the new Free School when it is completed.
We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Mental Health Practitioner to join the team at our new satellite site. As Mental Health Practitioner, you will play a vital role in supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of our students. Working closely with both students and staff, you will provide tailored mental health support, deliver workshops, and work collaboratively to create a nurturing environment that prioritises the mental health of everyone within our school community.
You will also serve as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), supporting the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure the safety and welfare of all students.
Key Responsibilities:
• Provide individual and group counselling to students, addressing a variety of mental health concerns
• Work closely with teachers, parents, and external professionals to develop and implement personalised support plans for students
• Conduct assessments of students’ mental health needs and provide timely and appropriate interventions
• Provide guidance and training to staff on supporting mental health in the classroom and identifying early signs of mental health issues
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with safeguarding procedures
• Support the Designated Safeguarding Lead in managing and promoting child protection and safeguarding policies, and ensuring consistent implementation across the school
Key Requirements:
• A degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy/Psychology/Behaviour Therapy
• Up-to-date training in safeguarding and child protection, with a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures in educational settings
• Experience as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead or willingness to undertake DDSL training upon appointment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust with students, staff, and parents
Rewards & Benefits:
• Enhanced parental leave schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Employee referral scheme
• Membership to Discounts for Teachers
• Discounted gym membership subscription including digital fitness
• Comprehensive training and development
• Access to counselling advice and support via Health Assured
• Commitment to wellbeing supported by our occupational health service and mental-health first aiders
• Scope for career progression across eight college centres, 14 academy schools and shared services team
• Pension scheme - the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) both of which have life cover and financial protection for your family.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.
Our Trust
The Bedelsford Chaucer Centre will be a satellite provision to Bedelsford School, which is part of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our websiteWe are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
To apply for this role, please click ‘Fast Apply’, you will then be directed to a ‘Login’ page, once signed in, please complete and submit the Application Form.Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.
Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.
Closing Date: 25th April 2025
Interviews will take place on: W/C 5th May 2025