Designated Safeguarding Lead 

Thank you for your interest in the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead at Greyfriars Catholic School, part of The Pope Francis Multi Academy Company (PFMAC) within the Archdiocese of Birmingham. We are seeking an experienced, attentive and highly committed safeguarding professional to join our school community as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). This is a non-teaching role created to strengthen and extend the safeguarding capacity within the school, reflecting our continued commitment to ensuring that the welfare of our students remains at the very heart of everything we do.

The successful candidate will work closely with our Deputy Headteacher, who is also a qualified DSL and has strategic oversight of safeguarding procedures across the school. Together, you will ensure that safeguarding systems are robust, responsive and well coordinated, providing strong support for staff and ensuring that vulnerable students and families receive timely and effective help.

Working in a school in any capacity is a privilege and a responsibility. Safeguarding the children in our care is one of the most important duties entrusted to us as a community. The Designated Safeguarding Lead plays a pivotal role in this work.  The postholder will hold responsibility for leading the school’s safeguarding practice, ensuring that concerns are responded to swiftly and appropriately, providing advice and guidance to staff, and working closely with the Local Authority and external agencies to ensure the best possible support for vulnerable children and families. While the DSL does not need to be a teacher, the role carries significant authority within the school’s leadership structure, enabling the postholder to carry out their duties effectively and ensure safeguarding remains a central priority across the school.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a profound difference to the lives of young people. At Greyfriars, safeguarding is not simply a statutory requirement; it is an expression of our values and our belief in the dignity of every child. Our vision at Greyfriars is that we are a Catholic school that champions each and every student so they can flourish individually and collectively. We champion students by teaching them well, by providing support and guidance when they need it, and by holding them to the highest expectations of themselves and others. We believe that working hard and being kind enables students to feel personally and academically successful.

In the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will play a vital part in ensuring that our students feel safe, supported and able to thrive. In this role, you will be a powerful advocate for the young people in our students feel safe, supported and able to thrive.

Application Details

We hope you are interested in this exciting opportunity and would like to submit an application form. 

To apply for the post of Designated Safeguarding Lead, please - 

• Fully complete the CES application form, ensuring all details are accurate and all declarations are signed. Please ensure you include details of two professional referees with one being your current employer (with email addresses). 

For further information please contact the School Business Manager, Sophie Upellini, s.upellini@gfcs.uk Tel: 01865 749933

Application submission: by 4pm Friday 27th March 

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Interview date: TBC  

Job start: 20th April (or as soon as possible after this date)

As we are a Catholic school, applicants must complete the CES application form in order to be considered for an interview. There is no requirement to be Catholic in order to be successful at an interview. We are committed to equal opportunities. 

To comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1998 (as amended by S147 of the Nationality and Immigration and Asylum Act 2002) all prospective employees will be required to supply evidence of eligibility to work in the UK.

Greyfriars Catholic School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant for any position will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure via the DBS (disclosure and barring system) and appropriate Right to Work clearances and our recruitment and selection practices.

JOB DESCRIPTION – Designated Safeguarding Lead 

Reporting to: Pastoral Deputy Headteacher 

Salary Rage: Grade 10 Point 27-30 £38,221 FTE - Actual  £27,826. 

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: 30 hours a week. Term Time Only + Two Weeks

Disclosure Level: Enhanced DBS

Overview of Pope Francis Multi Academy Company 

The Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Company (PFMAC) is a family of Catholic schools in Oxfordshire, who work together to promote the teaching of Christ and the Catholic faith. PFMAC comprises nine Catholic primary schools and two Catholic secondary schools and is an integral part of the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham ensuring that the Church’s educative mission is fulfilled. 

The school was founded by and is part of the Catholic Church. It is one of the formal mechanisms through which the Church's educative mission is fulfilled and is to be conducted as a Catholic School in accordance with the Canon law and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and in accordance with the Trust Deed of the Arch-Diocese of Birmingham. The Head Teacher is the school's leading professional. 

Core Areas of Responsibility 

Safeguarding Leadership, Policy and Compliance

Lead the implementation of the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring full compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), local safeguarding partnership guidance and statutory requirements.

• Act as a champion for safeguarding across the school, ensuring that safeguarding remains central to the culture, values and daily practice of the school community.

• Ensure all staff have access to and understand the school’s safeguarding policies, including the Safeguarding Policy, Staff Code of Conduct and Guidance for Safer Working Practice.

• Ensure the school safeguarding policy is reviewed annually and updated in line with national and local guidance.

• Support the communication of safeguarding procedures to students, staff and families so that expectations and reporting pathways are clear.

• Promote a culture of professional curiosity and challenge, ensuring staff understand their responsibility to challenge behaviours that may place children at risk.

• Contribute to safeguarding reporting for governors and support the governor with safeguarding responsibility in fulfilling their duties.

Managing Safeguarding Concerns and Referrals

Act as a key point of contact for safeguarding concerns raised by staff, ensuring that concerns are recorded, assessed and responded to appropriately.

• Recognise and respond to indicators of abuse, neglect and exploitation, ensuring that concerns are addressed promptly and in line with statutory guidance.

• Ensure that appropriate referrals are made to external agencies, including Children’s Social Care, Early Help, Police and other relevant services.

• Work closely with the Deputy Headteacher with strategic oversight of safeguarding, keeping them informed of concerns, patterns and emerging risks.

• Liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and other safeguarding partners as required.

• Ensure that accurate, detailed and confidential safeguarding records are maintained and stored securely in line with data protection requirements.

• Ensure safeguarding files are transferred securely and promptly when pupils move to another school.

• Refer cases to the Channel programme where there is concern regarding radicalisation and support staff in making Prevent referrals where required.

• Support the effective work of the school safeguarding team, ensuring clear systems and communication.

(The investigation of allegations against staff will be led by the Headteacher, or Chair of Governors where appropriate, in line with statutory guidance.)

Multi-Agency Working and Child Protection

Work proactively with external agencies and safeguarding partners to ensure effective information sharing and coordinated support for vulnerable children and families.

• Attend and contribute effectively to Child Protection conferences, Child in Need meetings, STRAT meetings and other multi-agency safeguarding meetings, including those outside normal working hours where required.

• Ensure that children who have safeguarding concerns receive appropriate and sensitive support within school.

• Act as Lead Professional where appropriate and coordinate support plans for pupils and families.

• Ensure actions agreed at multi-agency meetings are implemented, monitored and reviewed, ensuring they are clear, timely and impactful.

• Work closely with social workers, youth workers and other professionals to support vulnerable pupils.

• Promote and coordinate Early Help support, referring to Early Help services where appropriate.

Safeguarding Training and Staff Development

Ensure all staff receive safeguarding induction within their first seven days of employment, including training on safeguarding procedures and reporting processes.

• Ensure all staff receive regular safeguarding updates and refresher training, in line with statutory guidance.

• Work closely with the Education Safeguarding Advisory Team (ESAT) for support guidance and reviews  

• Monitor staff knowledge and understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and identify further training needs where appropriate.

• Represent the school at local authority DSL forums and safeguarding networks, sharing updates and good practice with colleagues.

• Promote staff awareness of safeguarding risks including FGM, Prevent, County Lines, trafficking, exploitation and contextual safeguarding.

• Ensure pupils and staff understand online safety risks and responsibilities.

Safeguarding Culture and Support

Act as a source of advice, guidance and expertise for staff on safeguarding matters.

• Promote a child-centred approach to safeguarding, ensuring the voice of the child is central to decision making.

• Maintain a strong working knowledge of local safeguarding partnership procedures and national safeguarding developments.

• Provide advice and support to staff managing safeguarding concerns and challenging situations.

• Maintain the highest levels of professional integrity and confidentiality.

Safeguarding Monitoring and Administration

Monitor safeguarding systems and processes to ensure they are effective and responsive.

• Support the monitoring and maintenance of the Single Central Record (SCR) and safeguarding compliance where required.

• Ensure requests for information from the Local Safeguarding Partnership or Local Authority are completed accurately and within required deadlines.

Wider Responsibilities

• Maintain a visible presence within the school community, ensuring students and staff feel able to approach the safeguarding team.

• Contribute to the work of the wider school leadership team where appropriate.

• Undertake other duties, training or responsibilities that are reasonably required and consistent with the level of responsibility of the post.

Additional Duties: 

To continue personal development as agreed. Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to Child Protection, Health and Safety and security, confidentiality and data protection. To support the school in meeting its legal requirements for worship.

School Ethos 

To support the Catholic Ethos of the school. To play a full part in the life of the school community, to support its distinctive mission and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example.

To continue personal development, as agreed, and to comply with the school's policies, including Health and Safety, and undertake risk assessments as appropriate. 

Person Specification: Designated Safeguarding Lead

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working in safeguarding (essential) 

• Experience in a similar role, preferably within a school setting

• Experience of working with external and multidisciplinary agencies 

 Education and Qualification

• 4 GCSEs at C or 4 and above (or equivalent), including English and Maths

•  Relevant Safeguarding Qualifications

Skills and Knowledge

• An up to date and thorough working knowledge KCSIE 

• A comprehensive understanding of best practice in safeguarding 

• Ability to make recommendations and reviews 

• Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date information on safeguarding platform 

• Ability to manage complex and personal issues 

• Effective time-management

 Interpersonal skills 

• To be a positive member of the Greyfriars team 

• Ability to relate to teachers, other professionals, families and students 

• Good listening skills 

• Ability to work as a member of a team, be flexible, solution-focused and work on own initiative 

 Other 

• Ability to relate to and promote the ethos of the school

• Willingness to undertake training as required 

• Optimistic outlook that recognises the complexity of working in schools but the joy that is at the centre of such important work 

How this is identified 

• Application form/supporting statement

• Interview/presentation

• Review of interview tasks

• References