Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Samantha Crouch

Samantha Crouch

Fareham,Hampshire

Summary

Accomplished Further Education Designated Safeguarding Lead, with a background in policing and business. Offering a wealth of strategic and operational leadership within safeguarding and student support services. A proactive, passionate and inspiring leader who embraces collaborative working, with a strong commitment to making a difference, an internal drive to deliver excellence, a flair for creativity and innovation.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Campus Designated Safeguarding Lead

South Hampshire College Group
Fareham, Hampshire
11.2023 - 05.2025
  • Proactive and responsive leadership of the Safeguarding and Student Services team, including implementation of the performance management framework.
  • College's Campus Designated Safeguarding Lead, carrying out all aspects of the DSL role, providing strategic and operational leadership to promote and protect the welfare and safety of the college community, delivering a highly robust and effective safeguarding provision.
  • Deputising for the Group DSL as appropriate.
  • Working in collaboration with the other campus DSL's and the Group DSL to ensure the college has robust and effective safeguarding processes, policies, procedures and training schedules in line with statutory legislation and guidance.
  • Senior Mental Health Lead for Fareham College; leading on the implementation of initiatives to support students health and wellbeing.
  • Track and monitor student performance data for vulnerable cohorts, removing barriers to learning and progression. Through financial support and guidance, attendance and behaviour interventions, student support and safeguarding provisions.
  • Manage, in conjunction with the Group DSL and other campus DSLs, applicants that disclose criminal convictions/ongoing investigations, in line with the college admissions policy and implement risk management measures as appropriate.
  • Oversee and regularly review the college's safeguarding register and risk management processes.
  • Overall responsibility for the college's care experienced students.
  • Cross college lead for the development and implementation of the school reference and transition programme.
  • Responsible for the development and implementation of student fitness to study processes and aspects of student behaviour interventions.
  • Analyse and report on relevant information to governors, the wider senior leadership team, other key staff and external stakeholders, to quality assure the provision.
  • Provide College representation at local and wider external forums including the Hampshire Safeguarding Children's Partnership Education Subgroup and local OP MET meetings. In order to safeguarding and support students, develop initiatives, share best practice and enhance partnership working.
  • Work in collaboration with the college's HR department, Group DSL and other campus DSL's to review the safer recruitment processes, policies and procedures in line with KCSIE 2024.

Student Services Manager and Deputy DSL

South Hampshire College Group
Fareham, Hampshire
08.2023 - 11.2023
  • Proactive and responsive leadership of the Safeguarding and Student Services team, including implementation of the performance management framework.
  • College's Campus Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, carrying out all aspects of the DSL role in the absence of a daily onsite DSL (college merger), providing strategic and operational leadership to promote and protect the welfare and safety of the college community, delivering a highly robust and effective safeguarding provision.
  • Working in collaboration with the other campus DSL's and the Group DSL to ensure the college has robust and effective safeguarding processes, policies, procedures and training schedules in line with statutory legislation and guidance.
  • Track and monitor student performance data for vulnerable cohorts, removing barriers to learning and progression. Through financial support and guidance, attendance and behaviour interventions, student support and safeguarding provisions.
  • Manage, in conjunction with the Group DSL and other campus DSLs, applicants that disclose criminal convictions/ongoing investigations, in line with the college admissions policy and implement risk management measures as appropriate.
  • Oversee and regularly review the college's safeguarding register and risk management processes.
  • Responsibility for for the college's care experienced students.
  • Responsible for the development and implementation of student fitness to study processes.
  • Analyse and report on relevant information to the Group DSL, governors, the wider senior leadership team, other key staff and external stakeholders, to quality assure the provision.
  • Provide College representation at local and wider external forums including the Hampshire Safeguarding Children's Partnership Education Subgroup and local OP MET meetings. In order to safeguard and support students, develop initiatives, share best practice and enhance partnership working.
  • Work in collaboration with the college's HR department, Group DSL and other campus DSL's to review the safer recruitment processes, policies and procedures in line with KCSIE 2024.

Director of Student Experience and DSL

Fareham College now South Hampshire College Group
Fareham, Hampshire
06.2022 - 08.2023


  • College's Designated Safeguarding Lead; providing strategic and operational leadership to promote and protect the welfare and safety of the college community. Ensuring the college has robust and effective safeguarding processes, policies, procedures and training schedules in line with statutory legislation and guidance, including KCSIE 2022.
  • Responsible for the planning, organisation and delivery of a range of student experiences across all campuses, to ensure that the student journey is the best that it can be and leads to positive and rewarding futures for all, removing barriers to learning and progression.
  • Proactive and responsive leadership and development of the following student support departments and areas; Additional Learning Support (SEND), Student Services including Safeguarding, Careers and Outreach, the Marketing team, tutorial provision, financial support and guidance, attendance and behaviour management, student engagement and student voice.
  • To oversee the work of the Careers and Outreach team to ensure robust careers education, information and guidance is offered to all students from the point of application through to final destination in line with the Careers Strategy and Gatsby benchmarks.
  • Lead the Marketing team in the delivery of the college's Marketing strategy. Ensure that our college provision is communicated and promoted effectively.
  • Leadership of the Additional learning support team responsible for supporting students with EHCP's and special education needs, to ensure our services are inclusive and support needs are met.
  • Lead the College's processes with capturing students intended and actual destinations to further inform curriculum design and intent.
  • Analyse and report on relevant information to governors, the wider senior leadership team, other key staff and external stakeholders. Including providing termly child protection and safeguarding reviews to governors as well as annual reports.
  • provide the head and governors with an annual report on child protection
  • Manage and review college policies and procedures in line with statutory legislation and guidance, ensuring that they are inclusive and accessible to all.
  • Work closely with the Deputy Principal Curriculum, Quality and Innovation to promote safeguarding, inclusivity and widening participation to ensure that the College meets its key responsibilities in relation to Equality of Opportunity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Safety.
  • Work in collaboration with the Director of Quality and Higher Education to oversee the initial student induction programme.
  • Work in collaboration with the Director of Quality and Higher Education to develop a well-planned tutorial framework, to enable students to develop personal, social and employability skills.
  • Leadership and coordination of all College liaison activities in relation to parents and guardians.
  • FE Representative for the Hampshire Safeguarding Children's Partnership Education Subgroup.
  • Co-chair of the Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity college committee.
  • Chair of the college's Student Board.
  • Lead on and proactively address the college's external quality assurance elements of support departments including safeguarding, student services and careers.
  • Work in collaboration with the college's HR department to review recruitment processes, policies and procedures in line with KCSIE 2022.
  • Financial and budget management.


Safeguarding & Wellbeing Manager/ Deputy DSL

Fareham College now South Hampshire College Group
Fareham, Hampshire
09.2018 - 06.2023
  • Accomplished Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, working in collaboration with the DSL to ensure that robust safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented and regularly reviewed in line with statutory legislation and guidance.
  • Provide leadership, guidance and support to staff on safeguarding, child protection and student wellbeing matters.
  • Proactive and responsive leadership of the Health & Wellbeing Team and aspects of the Student Services department.
  • Triage the day-to-day safeguarding referrals within the college and oversee the work of the officers ensuring accountability for timely, robust and appropriate support and interventions. Including the submissions of interagency and adult services referrals, community partnership information forms and prevent referrals.
  • Manage, in conjunction with the Director of Student Experience, applicants that disclose criminal convictions in line with the college admissions policy and implement risk assessments as appropriate.
  • Oversee and regularly review the college's safeguarding register and risk management processes, including the High-Risk Attendance Register procedures.
  • Provide college representation at multi-agency meetings including Child Protection Conferences, Child in Need meetings, Early Help Hub meetings, Core group and strategy meetings, Channel Panels (Prevent). Contributing to decision-making, ensuring all statutory requirements are met, support and interventions are implemented, and recording and reporting are accurate and timely.
  • Contribute to the at-risk processes, to ensure proactive and effective interventions in collaboration with curriculum and support departments.
  • Provide representation at Fitness to Study Meetings and chair in the absence of the Director of Student Experience (stage 2), contribute to disciplinary hearings where appropriate.
  • Management of the Designated Teacher who is responsible for promoting the educational achievement of looked after children and care leavers within the setting. Ensuring the DT provides proactive and timely support and interventions, effectively contributes to students' Personal Education Plans (PEPs) and regularly completes Independent Progress Reviews (IPRs) in line with processes and procedures.
  • Working in collaboration with the SEND Coordinator and team to review EHCP's via the application or consultation processes and contribute to annual reviews. Ensuring safeguarding, well-being and additional support measures are proactively and collaboratively implemented, to support successful transition through to the final destination.
  • Participate in cross-college processes and provide representation at college committees including The Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity Committee and the Health & Safety Committee.
  • Lead on the school reference, transition and induction processes, working in collaboration with internal departments (Careers, Outreach, SEND department, Curriculum) plus external agencies, students, parents and guardians.
  • Contribute to supporting students to develop their personal, social and employability skills, through organising cross-college events, enrichment and contributing to the tutorial framework.
  • Implement internal quality assurance within the Student Services department including Safeguarding, Health & Wellbeing and attendance processes linked to high-risk students. Contribute to cross-college quality assurance including governance reporting and the Matrix assessment.
  • Work in partnership with a variety of external agencies to provide additional support, advice and guidance to students including statutory organisations, charities and voluntary groups.
  • Regularly review and measure the impact of the college pastoral and safeguarding provisions, identify areas where improvements can be made, collating information for governance reporting.
  • Conduct regular staff one to one's, Student Service Team meetings and yearly appraisals.
  • Deliver training to staff including annual safeguarding training.
  • Actively support the college's core values, adhere to policies, procedures and legislation.
  • Maintain professional development through a program of personal development each year.

Company Owner

Self employed
Fareham, Hampshire
07.2011 - 09.2018
  • Managed business budget planning, accounting functions and all financial aspects.
  • Achieved sales goals and increased revenue through strategy development.
  • Launched new products in line with marketing plans.
  • Implemented new technologies to improve business productivity including the installation of industrial laser engraving and cutting machinery and IT software packages.
  • Enhanced new product awareness by posting engaging content to company websites and social media accounts.
  • Regularly sought and actioned client feedback to develop product and service offerings.
  • Conducted market research, monitored trends and carried out regular competitor analysis to inform and enhance the business offering.
  • Capitalised on social media platforms to recruit influencers, increase brand and market awareness.
  • Remained up-to-date on current product trends to evolve current stock offerings.
  • Provided consistently high-quality customer service to further enhance customer relations, revenue and reputation.
  • Devised seasonal promotions to appeal to current customer appetite.

Police Officer

Hampshire Constabulary
Portsmouth, Hampshire
10.2004 - 07.2011
  • Maintained law and order by protecting members of the public and their property, preventing crime, reducing the fear of crime and improving the quality of life for citizens within Hampshire.
  • Specialized for two years within the Protection of Vulnerable Adults arena, working collaboratively with a variety of external agencies to proactively safeguard and promote the wellbeing of vulnerable adults.
  • Responded to emergency calls and requests from the public to assist at incidents in a timely and professional manner to secure optimal resolutions in line with laws and force regulations.
  • Conducted arrests with due regard for the human rights, security and health and safety of detained individuals, members of the public and colleagues.
  • Interviewed suspects, victims and witnesses in accordance with relevant legislation.
  • Offered empathetic and compassionate victim support for minimised distress and upset.
  • Prepared crime reports and presented case files to senior officers and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for charging decisions.
  • Attended and gave evidence in court proceedings.
  • Gathered, recorded and analysed intelligence to achieve community safety, crime reduction objectives and provide crime prevention advice.
  • Developed community knowledge to identify and address at-risk individuals and locations.
  • Provided visible presence in inner-city areas, deterring crime through on-foot and mobile patrol duties.
  • Attended road-related incidents and enforced road traffic legislation.
  • Diffused potentially volatile situations by employing de-escalation and conflict management techniques.
  • Demonstrated crowd control, site patrolling and access management at large-scale community events including Premiership Football matches and festivals.
  • Worked crime scenes, preserving and securing forensic evidence to strengthen investigation accuracy and case viability.
  • Facilitated neighbourhood watch programmes by working with community groups and volunteers.
  • Collaborated with a variety of statutory agencies, voluntary and community groups plus charities to expand partnerships and improve policing in Portsmouth.
  • Maintained strict confidentiality through careful recording and storage of case documents, in line with policies and procedures.

Insurance Accounts Clerk

BDML Connect LTD
Portsmouth, Hampshire
08.2003 - 10.2004
  • Provided high-quality IAG to customers and internal departments in line with company expectations, policies and procedures.
  • Reviewed, verified and inputted client data and documentation into the business software in line with policies and procedures.
  • Used spreadsheet software to compile and analyse data.

Retail Sales Assistant

River Island
Fareham, Hampshire
08.2002 - 08.2003
  • Provided excellent customer service by greeting customers, providing product knowledge and answering questions.
  • Completed customer purchases and refunds.
  • Replenished floor stock and processed deliveries promptly, maximising product availability for customers.
  • Created attractive product displays to enhance customer engagement and boost sales.
  • Updated product labelling and promotional pricing.

Education

A-Levels - Fine Art, Textiles, Psychology

St Vincent College
Hampshire
06.2003

GCSEs - Maths, English, Science, Languages, IT, History

Bridgemary Community School
Hampshire
06.2001

Skills

  • Highly proficient Designated Safeguarding Lead with extensive experience in the strategic and operational management of Safeguarding and Child Protection in Further Education (FE) including Prevent, Exploitation and Cybercrime
  • Motivational, passionate, resilient and authentic leader with a commitment to serving students, staff and stakeholders, providing a positive, safe and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with extensive experience in critical thinking and conflict resolution
  • A proven track record to transform a vision through to implementation and evaluate outcomes to drive forward positive change and enhance the organisational offering
  • Extensive history of collaborative working to improve outcomes for students, customers and stakeholders
  • Sound knowledge of UK law, statutory legislation and guidance in relation to safeguarding and special educational needs and disability (SEND)
  • Good IT skills plus extensive experience in the recording, management of information and use of information systems
  • Financial awareness and budget management experience

Accomplishments

  • Staff Nominated Manager of the Year Award- 2022
  • Staff Nominated Student Support Team of the Year Award-2021
  • Student Nominated Excellence Award- 2019

Certification

  • NSPCC Designated Safeguarding Lead training -November 2024
  • DFE Prevent in Education training for Designated Safeguarding Leads- November 2024
  • IOSH Managing Safely course cert no: 980-HSE7-35505 - December 2023
  • Anna Freud Intermediate Senior Mental Health Lead training - October 2023
  • HSCP and IOWSCP Designated Safeguarding Leads Conference - June 2024
  • HSCP Responding Well to Disclosures of Domestic Abuse - June 2024
  • HSCP Safeguarding Adolescents in Hamsphire and the IOW - January 2024
  • HSCP and IOWSCP Designated Safeguarding Leads Conference - June 2023
  • HSCP An Introduction to Trafficking and the Referral Mechanism - June 2023
  • HSCP Professional Challenge and Escalation - May 2023
  • HSCP An Introduction to Safeguarding Supervision- April 2023
  • HM Government Prevent Channel or Prevent Multi-Agency Panel Course - April 2023
  • HM Government Prevent Referrals Course - April 2023
  • NSPCC Designated Safeguarding Lead training -Oct 2022
  • CACHE Level 2 Suicide Awareness - completed 2022
  • HSCP- Harmful Practices- An introduction to Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriage and Dowry Abuse - Sept 2022
  • HSCP Designated Safeguarding Leads Conference - June 2022
  • HSCP- An introduction to Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews - May 2022
  • HSCP- Managing Allegations & Working with LADO - Completed May 2022
  • HSCP- An Introduction to Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews - Completed May 2022
  • Designated Safeguarding Lead Training -Ineqe Safeguarding Group - Completed March 2022
  • HSCP - Missing Exploited and Traffic Children - Completed Sept 2021
  • Hampshire CAMHS - Professionals workshop- Managing a young person in crisis, understanding self-harm, and suicide prevention with young people - Completed Sept 2021.
  • Designated Safeguarding Lead Conference -HSCP- Completed June 2021
  • DFE Prevent Train the Trainer - Completed June 2021
  • World Class Manager programme- The Global Growth Institute- Completed Feb 2021
  • SOS Plus St Giles Trust- Gangs & County Lines training session- Completed Feb 2021
  • Designated Safeguarding Lead Conference - HSCP- Nov 2020
  • Unconscious Bias Training - Linked in Learning - Completed October 2020
  • Rowan's Hospice Bereavement Training - Completed July 2020
  • Advanced Safeguarding for DSL's - Success in Schools LTD- Completed June 2020 cert no. 51834420
  • HSCP - An Introduction to Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder - Completed June 2020
  • Prevention & Management of work-related violence (theory)- Dynamics Training & Insight Institute of Conflict Management - Completed Jan 2020
  • Level 2 - Understanding Children and Young Peoples Mental Health - Completed Oct 2019
  • QA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (FQF)- Completed June 2019
  • MHFA - Mental Health First Aid - Completed March 2019
  • Ashford Police Training Centre - 12 week residential course - law, physical fitness, self-defence, life saving, first aid, and drill. Passed out Jan 2005

Timeline

Campus Designated Safeguarding Lead

South Hampshire College Group
11.2023 - 05.2025

Student Services Manager and Deputy DSL

South Hampshire College Group
08.2023 - 11.2023

Director of Student Experience and DSL

Fareham College now South Hampshire College Group
06.2022 - 08.2023

Safeguarding & Wellbeing Manager/ Deputy DSL

Fareham College now South Hampshire College Group
09.2018 - 06.2023

Company Owner

Self employed
07.2011 - 09.2018

Police Officer

Hampshire Constabulary
10.2004 - 07.2011

Insurance Accounts Clerk

BDML Connect LTD
08.2003 - 10.2004

Retail Sales Assistant

River Island
08.2002 - 08.2003

A-Levels - Fine Art, Textiles, Psychology

St Vincent College

GCSEs - Maths, English, Science, Languages, IT, History

Bridgemary Community School

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