Safeguarding Manager (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

Secondary Mainstream School | Full-Time | Safeguarding & Student Welfare Role

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, committed and highly skilled Safeguarding Manager to oversee safeguarding and child protection across our school. Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will be responsible for ensuring that safeguarding concerns are effectively identified, recorded, and responded to in line with statutory guidance and school procedures.

You will play a key role in supporting the school’s safeguarding and pastoral systems, working closely with senior staff, pastoral teams, external agencies, families, and colleagues to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and positive outcomes of all students.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding & Case Management

• Act as the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for safeguarding matters.
• Receive, assess, and respond to safeguarding concerns, disclosures, and referrals.
• Ensure timely referrals to social care, police, and external agencies where required.
• Maintain accurate, secure, and compliant safeguarding records.
• Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed consistently across the school.

Interagency Working & Early Help

• Work collaboratively with external agencies including social care, health services, and safeguarding partnerships.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, case conferences, and strategy discussions.
• Coordinate Early Help assessments and preventative interventions to support vulnerable students.

Team Support & Coordination

• Provide guidance and support to staff involved in safeguarding casework.
• Coordinate safeguarding actions, monitoring progress and ensuring follow-up tasks are completed.
• Support consistency in safeguarding practice across pastoral and inclusion teams.
• Oversee allocation and coordination of first aid provision across the school.

Staff Training & Safeguarding Culture

• Deliver and coordinate safeguarding CPD and training for staff.
• Provide advice and support to colleagues managing safeguarding concerns.
• Promote a school-wide culture where safeguarding concerns are recognised and reported appropriately.

Policy, Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure safeguarding and child protection policies are up to date and compliant with statutory guidance.
• Support safeguarding audits, inspections, and reporting requirements.
• Monitor safeguarding data and escalate concerns where appropriate.

Student & Family Support

• Support vulnerable students through targeted safeguarding and wellbeing interventions.
• Work closely with pastoral, SEND, attendance, and behaviour teams.
• Liaise with families and signpost to external support services where appropriate.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• An experienced safeguarding professional with strong knowledge of child protection frameworks.
• Confident managing complex safeguarding concerns and decision-making under pressure.
• Skilled in working with external agencies and multi-agency safeguarding systems.
• A strong communicator who can manage sensitive and challenging conversations.
• Highly organised, resilient, and calm in demanding situations.
• Committed to safeguarding, inclusion, and improving outcomes for children and young people.

Essential Requirements

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training (Level 3 or equivalent minimum).
• Experience in a safeguarding, pastoral, or child protection role.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
• Experience working with external agencies and safeguarding procedures.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in safeguarding.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Vice Principal (Inclusion)
• Supports: Deputy DSL(s)
• Works closely with: Senior staff, pastoral teams, external safeguarding partners