Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

We have an exciting opportunity at The Chalk Hills Academy for an experienced and proactive Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead to join a thriving academy committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. We are seeking a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead with extensive knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and best practice, and a deep understanding of multi-agency working.

You will be part of the dedicated and supportive inclusion team at The Chalk Hills Academy who work together to ensure that all our children are able to thrive in their learning, and that high standards of safeguarding are maintained within the academy.  Making a team of three in our Safeguarding Team.  Join us and make a meaningful impact on student welfare in a supportive and forward-thinking school community.

Key Duties

• To support the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in ensuring a robust safeguarding culture across the school
• To support the DSL in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings and contribute to the assessment of children.
• Managing child protection concerns and maintaining accurate records using CPOMS logging incidents, concerns, and actions.
• To work closely with Attendance and all Pastoral team members to help reduce the risk of identified pupils being excluded and monitor attendance of vulnerable pupils
• Advise and support other members of staff on child welfare and child protection matters and liaise with relevant agencies such as the local authority and police.
• To undertake home visits to the families of identified pupils who are in need to actively encourage parents and carers to attend all relevant meetings
• Raising the profile of safeguarding with the academy so that all teachers, students, parents and visitors are aware of safeguarding issues and referrals

The successful candidate will have

• Experience working in a safeguarding position in a school or educational setting
• Safeguarding Level 2 training - desirable
• English and Maths at GCSE grade A-C or equivalent
• Knowledge of legislation, government guidance and national frameworks for safeguarding children and adults at risk
• Experience in multi-agency working and handling sensitive information
• Understand the assessment process for providing early help and intervention
• Excellent IT skills and Proficiency in IT systems for recording and tracking safeguarding concerns
• Confidence in use of CPOMS for logging incidents and proficiency in navigating CPOMS dashboards, filters, and reporting tools to monitor patterns and trends.
• Proven ability to support vulnerable students and families
• Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
• Ability to write clear, factual, and objective records using appropriate safeguarding language
• High levels of empathy, discretion, and professionalism
• Commitment to inclusive practice and promoting student wellbeing

Job Specifics

Start Date:  5th January 2026

Salary:  AS 15-20 FTE £30,334-£32,906 actual pro rata £28,047-£30,425 dependent on experience

Contract: Permanent, Full-time, Term-time +5 INSET days plus 2 weeks, 41 wks per yr, 37.5 hrs per wk, Mon-Fri 8am-4pm *flexibility will be required to meet the needs of the school & role

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the deadline date.

Safeguarding

We believe in the safeguarding and welfare of children and expect all staff to share this view’.

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.  Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.

The Department for Education (DfE) has set out statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ for schools and colleges on safeguarding.

Safeguarding is defined in paragraph 4 as:

“Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.”

The definition of 'children' includes everyone under the age of 18.