Compliance Officer

Job Description

We are currently looking to appoint a Compliance Officer at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]. This is a newly created post and the aim is to ensure the School is compliant with relevant legislation at all times and is operating using best practice.

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], Southwold has been providing educational excellence for almost 125 years to children from Suffolk, Norfolk and further afield. Set in 75 glorious acres on the Suffolk coast, just minutes from the sea, this co-educational independent school caters for boarders and day pupils from the ages of 2 to 18 including international students from around the world.

The Compliance Officer is responsible to the Headmaster. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is part of the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], this role will also include providing compliance and HR expertise in a range of areas at the school and in liaison with Head Office.

Role Purpose

To closely support the Head in leading on ensuring that:

• All legal and compliance aspects of the School are appropriately structured and discharged including policies, procedures and practices being regularly updated to maintain compliance
• Staff are fully aware of compliance requirements
• Confidentiality, discretion and empathy are critical for this role
• Custodian of all inspection documentation, including policies

Duties and Responsibilities

Compliance and H&S

• Responsible for ensuring the school complies with all regulatory requirements and internal policies
• Act as the first point of contact for required legal advice in support of the Headmaster, working with the school’s insurers and lawyers, as required
• To initiate, develop, maintain and review the School’s policies. Ensure statutory policies are in place and up to date
• To ensure the senior team and other departments are kept informed of all relevant changes in guidance and legislation in the following areas: Independent Schools Inspectorate regulatory requirements; Health, safety and welfare (e.g. medical provision, minibus and transport, Equality Act, Children & Families Act, including commercial lettings); Premises (buildings and facilities, environmental health, food hygiene); HR (recruitment and employment); Student visas and Home Office immigration requirements; Data Protection (subject access requests, information technology, data controller, records management); Management/operational (anti-bribery, licencing, copyright, parent contracts); Trips (e.g. ensuring all trips are compliant)
• Custodian of all inspection documentation, including school policies – school should be inspection-ready at all times
• Chair termly H&S meeting, writing the minutes and liaising with Head Office regarding any issues
• To ensure that appropriate risk assessments are carried out across the Schools and to advise staff with risk assessment responsibilities. Maintain a central register of risk assessments and ensure regular review as required
• To investigate and record incidents, accidents and near-misses, and report as appropriate, for example file RIDDOR reports.
• Act as the Data Compliance Officer – responsible for the Data Protection Policy, Privacy Notices and dealing with any data breaches or Subject Access Requests
• Responsible for risk management, including estate-related disaster and business continuity planning (for example: services, buildings, site security)
• To identify potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; develop action plans for the mitigation of those risks and provide general guidance on how to avoid or deal with similar situations in the future; conduct internal audits of processes and procedures

HR

• Responsible for all HR, supported by the HR/Compliance Assistant
• Support the administration of disciplinary and grievance investigations as appropriate, liaising with the Head and external advisors
• As required, to reach-back to [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Head Office for HR advice and support
• Responsible for the Recruitment Policy and ensuring all new employees are recruited in accordance with current statutory directives
• Provide basic employment advice and practical support to senior managers as required
• Manage and maintain the Single Central Register (SCR) and maintain staff personnel records securely and in accordance with School’s and statutory requirements
• Update the Employee Handbook annually and as required

We would like to hear from you if you feel you have the skills and attributes for this role. Having experience of working in a school setting would be looked upon favourably. Please apply immediately, for an informal discussion about the role please call Tom on [contact hidden]. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the date advertised. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis, as applications are received.

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, as all new staff will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance, identity checks, qualification checks and employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps within employment, two satisfactory references and registration with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Contact Information

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]
Georgian House, Park Lane, Stanmore, Middx HA7 3HD, United Kingdom
Email: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]
Telephone: [contact hidden]