Designated Safeguarding Lead

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Full-Time

Are you an experienced safeguarding professional ready to make an immediate impact? We are seeking a highly skilled Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of safeguarding and child protection across a specialist educational setting.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate safeguarding leader who is committed to ensuring that every child is safe, supported, and able to thrive.

The Role

As the Interim Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will take overall responsibility for safeguarding, child protection and online safety across multiple sites. Working closely with senior leaders, external agencies and pastoral teams, you will ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of the organisation's culture, policies and daily practice.

You will lead on complex safeguarding cases, manage referrals, provide expert advice to staff and senior leaders, and drive continuous improvement in safeguarding standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all safeguarding and child protection activity across the provision.
• Act as the primary point of contact for safeguarding concerns, ensuring swift and appropriate action is taken.
• Manage referrals to Children's Social Care, Police, Channel and other agencies where required.
• Provide strategic safeguarding advice and support to senior leaders and staff.
• Line manage operational safeguarding colleagues and ensure consistency of safeguarding practice.
• Maintain high-quality, compliant safeguarding records and reporting systems.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture through training, awareness, quality assurance and best practice.
• Build effective relationships with external agencies to ensure positive outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
• Support the educational, emotional and welfare needs of pupils, particularly those facing barriers to learning.

About You

We're looking for a safeguarding professional who can confidently balance strategic leadership with operational expertise.

You will have:

• Significant experience working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy DSL within education.
• A thorough understanding of current safeguarding legislation, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Experience managing complex child protection cases and multi-agency working.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding risks including exploitation, child-on-child abuse, online safety, mental health, attendance and contextual safeguarding.
• Outstanding communication, leadership and organisational skills.
• The ability to build trust, influence practice and champion a child-centred approach.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference to vulnerable young people's lives.
• Work within a supportive and dedicated leadership team.
• Highly rewarding role with significant impact across the organisation.
• Immediate start available for the right candidate.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and all relevant safeguarding and pre-employment checks.

Apply today if you're ready to lead safeguarding with confidence, compassion and impact.