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bigcreative.education

Safeguarding and Mental

Health Officer

Job specification pack

Welcome to

Big Creative Academy
Big Creative Academy (BCA) is a specialist

creative arts college for 16-19 year olds based

in Walthamstow, E17.

Our intent is to provide young creatives from

diverse backgrounds with the entrepreneurial skills

and academic knowledge to have a powerful impact

in the creative industries.

Through access to higher education and the

development of cultural capital we will provide

students with the attitude and resilience to

succeed.

BCA job specification pack

As an organisation we provide a supportive,

developmental environment with a creative

and innovative approach to education. Choosing

to work for BCA will enable you to be part of a

successful organisation that offer a good work-

life balance to all employees, which includes

a flexible working approach, a friendly, positive

and purposeful working environment, and

plenty of opportunities for social interaction

between colleagues

We are a values-led organisation, award-winning in

equality, diversity, and inclusion and a best practice

college for LGBTQ+. We work with integrity

and passion, and are fiercely committed to

creating a truly meaningful work environment,

where individuals are empowered with the

tools, technology, and training to unleash

their full potential.

This is an exciting time to join BCA. We moved into

our £21m new building in January 2021 with all

new industry-standard studios and equipment. We

are expanding to launch the new Fashion Futures

Studio in September 2023.

BCT culture video >

BCA job specification pack

We have 440 young people per year enrolled onto

our Level 3 vocational programmes, and learners

take qualifications in maths and English if needed.

We have a job centre on site for learners and a

sister organisation, Big Creative Training, offering

apprenticeships. Progression outcomes for

students are filling local skills needs for a growing

creative arts sector.

The majority of our staff are dual practitioners,

teaching their professional craft. This makes BCA

an innovative environment in which to work.

Together with our industry ambassadors and

patron, Emeli Sande, all of our programmes are

industry led and forward thinking.

Benefits of working for BCA

• Flexible Fridays, half day, to provide work-life

balance

• Employee assistance programme

• Research-based professional development

• Supportive, caring and developmental

environment with full staff wellbeing

programme

• Excellent career development opportunities

and performance recognition

• Staff social events

• Gym facilities for staff use

• Cycle to work scheme

Sacha Corcoran, MBE (Principal)

I’m really proud of the team at Big Creative Academy all working

together to provide the best education possible for our learners.

Our values are incredibly important to us and we look forward to

welcoming you into the Big Creative family.

– Kindness – Respect – Inclusivity – Authenticity – Integrity –

What our learners

and graduates say…

96% of learners at BCA say their overall experience

is good. Here’s what they had to say…

“The teachers always find time to help.”

“I love the small class sizes, and the fun environment created.”

“I get to do something I love with other people who have the

same interests as me.”

BCA job specification pack

Not only did the college give us

the tools and knowledge to succeed,

they prepared us for life as creatives

of the future.

Georgia

If it wasn’t for BCA there’s no way

I would have become the person

I am today. Thanks for helping

me find myself!”

Amani

Job Description &

Person Specification

BCA job specification pack

Post Title: Mental Health and Wellbeing Officer
• Salary: £25,207 FTE, £17,685 pro rata

• Basis: Part Time 0.8 Monday – Thursday 9-5pm (28hrs per week)

• Weeks: Term Time Only (38 weeks)

• Start Date: January 2026

• Reporting to: LINE MANAGER DDSL and Mental Health Lead

• Location: Big Creative Academy, Clifton Avenue, E17 6HL

Purpose of the role:

Purpose of the role: To provide a high-quality professional mental health support service, responding

to social, emotional, behavioural or educational concerns. To work with a varied case-load,

supporting students with EHCPs, who are looked-after or care-leavers, students at-risk of failing their

course and any other BCA student who requires support with their mental wellbeing. To promote the

safeguarding and wellbeing of students with a particular focus on SEND learners with an SEMH

need. To work with students regularly on a one-to-one basis to identify areas of difficulty and work

holistically to develop strategies that support the promotion of their mental wellbeing and continuation of

their course of study.

Principal Accountabilities:

• To be the first-point of call for students who are experiencing mental health

difficulties/crisis. To deliver the Academy’s mental health strategy and contribute to

relevant policies. To work with the DSL and student services team (wellbeing, welfare,

SEND) to ensure that students with poor mental health are identified and supported. To

work with the Senior Mental Health Lead and Deputy Director of Mental Health to develop

a clear referral process. To provide data around mental health concerns, interventions

and impact of support at regular intervals to the Director of Student Services and to work

with students to measure the impact of interventions by issuing and analysing mental

health questionnaires.

Key Tasks:

• Provide appropriate and timely mental health support to our cohort of students at Big Creative

Academy.

• To meet with students on a regular one-to-one basis to support them in overcoming any mental

health difficulties, ensuring that support is relevant and appropriate to their needs.

• To research and implement mental health strategies that can be used in one-to-one sessions

with learners that speak to their needs.

• To work with students to develop holistic support strategies for those who are experiencing

poor mental health, ensuring that one-to-one sessions are booked regularly.

• To work with students to develop solution-focused outcomes that promote their mental health

and support their ability to stay in education.

• To inform support plans with BCA SENCO for students with social, emotional and mental

health needs and/or EHCPs.

• To put together safety plans for vulnerable learners to ensure relevant staff are aware of the

protentional risks and measures put in place to keep the learner safe.

• To record support data throughout the academic year.

continued…

BCA job specification pack

• Support the effective use of the College electronic recording and reporting systems to accurately

record intervention in line with Government statutory guidance and GDPR requirements.

• Support the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Manager to collate data and provide reports in line with

agreed deadlines.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the College Mental Health Strategy

• Actively contribute to the College Enrichment, Health and Wellbeing programme and to the group

tutorial programme, facilitating sessions and producing resources as required.

• Represent the department and support at events on evening and weekend events as required.

• Resilient and confident temperament, with a calm nurturing nature and firm but fair approach.

• A passion for working with young people in a dynamic diverse learning environment.

• Perform any other duties as may be reasonably requested by managers

Personal Competencies :

• Valuing Equality and Diversity

• Working with People; Team Working, Communication

• Results Focus; Drive to Achieve Excellence, Technical Skills & Professionalism

• Focus on Delivery; Organisational Awareness, Customer/Student Focus

• Self Motivation; Adaptability & Flexibility, Accountability

Key Relationships:

The postholder will need to form effective and co-operative working relationships, in particular with:

Director of Student Services, Deputy Director of Student Services & ALS Team • DSL Team • Managers &

Teaching staff within Departments • Parents and Carers. • Client Services Team • Representatives from

external bodies, in particular Local Authorities and Exam Awarding Bodies

Expectations of the Post Holder:

The post holder will undertake assigned responsibilities effectively and efficiently, and within regulatory

and legislative requirements; achieve individual and departmental targets within the College’s annual

planning and staff performance review processes and budgetary constraints and:

• Actively promote equality and diversity, recognising and actively challenging stereotyping, prejudice

and discrimination, ensuring that these principles permeate all working practices. All staff are required

to undertake mandatory Equality & Diversity Training.

• Adhere to and actively promote the College’s Safeguarding policy and procedures, and undertake

mandatory Safeguarding Training.

• Adhere to and actively promote the College Group’s Prevent Agenda

continued…
• Plan and deliver holistic group sessions for particularly vulnerable cohorts of learners (SEND,

looked-after-children/care-leavers, young carers, LGBTQIA+ etc) around resilience, emotional

regulation and mindfulness.

• To liaise with parents/carers when appropriate to share any concerns and to promote the mental

health and wellbeing of students who are needing support.

• To provide support in a manner which facilitates the student’s cognitive development by removing

barriers to learning.

Key Organisational Objectives

• To have a clear understanding of the wider support services available to young people across

London boroughs, relating to their area of need.

• To empower students to take responsibility promoting their own wellbeing and mental health by

providing them with tools and strategies they require to live a fulfilling life.

• To promote internal and external mental health services to BCA’s cohort of students throughout

the year.

• To liaise with relevant staff within the Academy, making them aware of problems experienced by

students and to make recommendations as to how these may be managed/resolved, as

appropriate.

• To inform Big Creative Academy’s mental health strategy and policies.

• To lead and support on staff training around mental health issues.

• To attend meetings and/or provide reports or feedback relating to any students that have been

supported and students who may be subject to intervention from social care/early help.

• To liaise with the student services team including safeguarding, welfare and SEND regarding

caseload, any known risks to students and creating and/or contributing to safety plans.

• To develop a mental health program that speaks to the needs of BCA’s students, measuring impact

of any intervention and providing reports.

• To help inform risk assessments or safety/action plans for students experiencing poor mental

health.

• To provide support and guidance and promote a caring environment where concerns can be

explored, thereby promoting mental and emotional health.

• To attend meetings and training within the Academy, as appropriate.

• To attend Safeguarding training as required.

• To ensure all safeguarding concerns are shared with the DSL/DDSL at the point of disclosure

To be alert to trends and patterns of problems and be willing to identify causes and recommend

corrective action.

• To undertake all administrative duties that are required to keep the service running.

• Keep appropriate case records in a secure place.

• To have an understanding of current trends, themes and concerns relating to the mental health

and wellbeing of young people

• To work with the wellbeing facilitators on the delivery of mental health topics in wellbeing

sessions.

• To work with Deputy Director and Senior Mental Health Lead to plan opportunities for

parents/carers to learn how to support their young person.

• To promote a culture of safety at Big Creative Academy.

• To contribute in any other reasonable fashion to promote the safety and wellbeing of the

students.

• NOTE: This job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post. It will be

reviewed at least once each year and it may be subject to modification or amendment at any
time after consultation with the holder of the post.

continued…

• All new employee at Big creative Academy, will receive a 3 to 6 months’ probation period.

• Equal Opportunities

• The post holder will be expected to carry out all duties in the context of and in

compliance with the Academy’s Equal Opportunities Policies.

In addition the postholder is expected to:

• Work towards achieving Big Creative Academy’s mission and actively participate in our

culture, striving towards outstanding teaching and learning, promoting wellbeing and bringing

industry into the classroom

• Travel to and meet with key stakeholders as appropriate to the role

• Undertake continuous professional development including research projects and a bespoke

annual plan

• Actively promote equality and anti-racism at all times

• Carry out duties at all times with due regard to Big Creative Academy’s policies, including

safeguarding, health and safety and data protection and participate in training as required

• To comply with and promote the Academy’s safeguarding policies

• Work flexibly and to undertake any other duties that may reasonably allocated by the line

manager, which may include working occasional evenings and weekends

Person Specification
A – Application I – Interview

BCA job specification pack

ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED DESIRABLE
METHOD OF
ASSESSMENT

Education and Qualifications

Must have experience in Safeguarding and have completed

Level 2 Safeguarding training X A and I

Must have training in Mental Health first aid X A and I

Must have worked with children and or adolescents around

mental health and wellbeing

X A and I

Knowledge and Skills

Experience of working with young students and their

families in a multicultural environment

X A

Relevant work experience including providing mental

health support to young people

X A

Must have strong communication skills both orally and in writing X A and I

Knowledge of issues affecting young people as creatives X A

Must have experience working in Safeguarding within Education,
as well as having clear knowledge on the referral process to Early
help, multi agency safeguarding hubs and the police

X A and I

Experience

Experience of using, setting up, maintaining and developing
administrative systems.

X A

Must have experience supporting students with a range of

complex needs including Autism/ADHD

X A and I

Commitment

The ability to work effectively with colleagues to achieve service

aims

X A

Attention to detail in communication and planning. X A

Ability to problem solve and show initiative in role X A and I

BCA job specification pack

How to apply

To apply you must write a letter of application to bca-hr@bigcreative.education . This must include a supporting

statement that evidences your experience matched to the accountabilities and person specification of the job

role.

Closing date for application is INSERT DATE

Interviews will be held on INSERT WEEK

Safeguarding

BCA operates safer recruitment practice in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education regulations. Please

expect the highest level of scrutiny and background checks. Appointments are subject to satisfactory references

being obtained, and an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. New members of staff

cannot start their positions until these

documents are in place.

Warner Interviews

As a values led organisation we conduct Warner interviews as part of our

recruitment process. These are designed to help us understand your own

values and motivation for working with the specific cohort of young people

we serve. We recommend that you research this interview technique

should you be invited to attend an interview.

What our staff say…

I like the progressive nature of the

college and how we are always looking

to expand and offer a more rounded

experience for the learners.

The best part of my role is being able

to make a positive difference to the

lives of many, supporting our young

people in seeing their potential.

There is fantastic communication

between members of staff and

the management team.

I feel supported and encouraged

in my role, inspired to continue

working to deliver high quality

and engaging material.

The staff get on well with each other

and work together positively to benefit

the organisation.

Lovely working environment with a

supportive team and great students.

What we do, individually, and overall,

makes a huge impact on the lives

of these young people and

empowers them.

BCA job specification pack

I like the collaborative culture and

genuine care for staff, with time

and energy invested.

BCA is a small organisation with

a big heart and a great mission

to develop learners from

disadvantaged communities.

I am trusted by my manager to use

initiative and develop my area as

I see fit. I feel trusted and valued

in my ideas and opinions.

The environment at BCA is a huge

stand out to me. The staff are diverse

so it makes me feel very comfortable

at work.

The absolutely fantastic team of staff

that I work with – we all come from

different walks of life yet share the

same creative interests and goals

in improving learner’s experience

and their lives in general.

The community feel to our college

is second to none.

BCA is an equal opportunities employer and positively welcomes

applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to

safeguarding all learners enrolled on our programmes and appointment

of successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory references being

obtained, and an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.