Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead and Deputy DSL - Aylesbury High School (Girls)

Overview

We are seeking a Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead and DDSL to lead the effective and efficient support of student health and wellbeing, helping students develop social and emotional skills through targeted strengths-based programs and strategies that build resilience, coping skills and positive relationships. To work as a key part of the
Designated Safeguarding Team to coordinate the support of vulnerable students, working closely with other staff, parents and external agencies.

37 hours per week, 08:00 - 16:30  Monday - Thursday, Friday 8.00-4.00, with a 1 hour unpaid lunch break (to be taken at a time by mutual agreement), term time, plus Inset Days, plus 4 weeks in the holidays, of which 2 would usually be taken in the summer holidays, to be agreed with the line manager.

About us

Aylesbury High School (AHS) is a forward-thinking girls’ grammar school that values both academic and pastoral excellence and co-curricular opportunities with the vision of developing uniquely talented young adults, who are independent, strong and confident
We create a welcoming environment which draws the very best from all in our community. Achieved by providing an ambitious education that stimulates creative and critical thinking, values diversity and facilitates dynamic personal development.

The AHS values are Boundless Aspiration, Resilient Bravery, Curious Engagement and Selfless Generosity and we want all our community to experience, develop and demonstrate these characteristics both within the curriculum and through our extensive co-curricular offering.

Website: http://www.ahs.bucks.sch.uk/about-the-school/staff-vacancies/

About the role

Leadership and Management
 To lead the health and wellbeing team
 Oversee the work of the school counsellor
 Lead the support of our Young Carers
 Work closely, on a daily basis, with other key teams, such as Heads of Year and the SEND team to coordinate the right support for students
 Work closely with other non-teaching staff team leaders to support the School’s delivery of strategy
 Support the exams team with evidence for Special Consideration
 Collaborate with the HR department to provide support for staff members as necessary
 Whole-School Strategy: Develop, implement, and oversee a strategic, whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing that is championed by the senior leadership team (SLT) and reflected in all school policies (e.g., behaviour, anti-bullying, and curriculum).
 Policy and Procedures: Review and update policies related to mental health and wellbeing, ensuring they are current and align with statutory guidance (e.g., safeguarding).
 Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish systems to monitor, evaluate, and report on the impact of the school's wellbeing initiatives and targeted interventions, producing reports for the senior team and governors.

Safeguarding
 With support from the DSL, lead on safeguarding/child protection issues as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
 Use safeguarding knowledge to support the rest of the DSL team in decision making and strategy. Targeted Support and Referral
 Identification: Implement a clear process for the earlier identification of students with emerging or existing mental health needs, including those from vulnerable groups (e.g., young carers, students with SEND).
 Intervention Oversight: Oversee the coordination and delivery of school-based mental health and wellbeing interventions (e.g., group work, one-to-one support).
 Oversee recording of interventions undertaken using systems within school, such as CPOMS
 External Links: Forge and maintain effective links with local and national mental health services (e.g. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)).
 Referral Pathway: Ensure a clear, confidential referral pathway is in place for referring students to external specialist services when appropriate, and support parents/carers through this process.

Staff Development
 Training (CPD): Identify, coordinate, and/or deliver relevant, high-quality professional development (for example, Friday morning briefings and Inset sessions) for all staff on recognising signs of mental health issues, understanding appropriate responses, and promoting mental resilience.
 Consultation: Act as a consultant to other staff, helping them confidently manage mental health issues and incidents involving students.

Student Voice and Ethos
 Positive Ethos: Promote an ethos and environment that is open, respectful, and values diversity, helping to normalise mental health discussions.
 Student Empowerment: Empower the student body (including those with additional needs) to co-produce the whole-school approach and actively use their voice (e.g., through a student wellbeing committee) to influence decisions.

See attachments

About you

Experience
 Work with young people - eg in a youth group or school/college environment
 Experience of leading a team related to wellbeing or pastoral care
 Knowledge of mental health and wellbeing
 Training as a Senior Mental Health Lead (or willingness to complete).
 A commitment to safeguarding
 Administration and record keeping experience
 Experience of liaising with different agencies and teams

Skills and knowledge
 Ability to establish and develop strong relationships with students and colleagues
 Ability to lead and support a team
 Able to respond calmly to unexpected situations
 Ability to work flexibly as a member of a team to achieve agreed objectives
 Ability to handle confidential information sensitively, and knowledge of relevant data protection and safeguarding practices (although training will be given on this)
 Ability to liaise with other staff members, parents and external agencies
 High standards of communication (verbal and written)
 Strong organisational and administrative skills
 Competent with common IT systems
 Data analysis for monitoring impact
 Time management and planning
 Ability to inspire others

Personal qualities
 Empathy and understanding, to help build good relationships with colleagues, students, parents and external agencies
 A commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing
 Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
 Commitment to safeguarding pupil wellbeing and equality

Resilient, positive, forward-looking and enthusiastic about making a difference to children and young people

Other information

Please complete the AHS application form and include a covering letter.
Applications can be e-mailed to: [email protected] or posted to: Mrs Lisa Greenway, Finance & Operations Director, Aylesbury High School, Walton Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 7SX

Closing date: 9am 24th October 2025        Interviews: Wednesday 5 November

CVs alone cannot be accepted for safeguarding reasons

If you are shortlisted for this post, you will also be required to complete a self-disclosure form as part of the recruitment process; this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Our Safeguarding Statement is attached. The appointment will be subject to references, which are satisfactory for the advertised post, an enhanced DBS check with a Child Barred List check, identity checks, prohibition orders and qualification checks as appropriate.

AHS is an equal opportunities employer.

We encourage early applications for all vacancies and reserve the right to close our vacancies at any time should the right candidates be found.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 174 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and convictions cautions
• All adult cautions and spent convictions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) guidance or Ministry of Justice (MOJ) guidance (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. All shortlisted applicants will be required to complete self-disclosure form and return prior to interview.