Designated Safeguarding Lead
We have an exciting opportunity at The Chalk Hills Academy for a highly experienced and proactive Designated Safeguarding Lead to join a thriving academy committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. We are seeking a Designated Safeguarding Lead with a proven track record of leading safeguarding in a secondary school setting, who has experience managing complex safeguarding cases and a deep understanding of multi-agency working.
The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and best practice, alongside the confidence and authority to lead safeguarding across the school and act as a central point of contact for all child protection concerns.
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. Join us and make a meaningful impact on student welfare in a supportive and forward-thinking school community.
Key Duties
· Lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the academy.
· Taking part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings and contributing to the assessment of children.
· 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.
· Line manage the Deputy Safeguarding Officers and Safeguarding Team.
· 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:
· Level 4 or higher Safeguarding qualification
· Knowledge of legislation, government guidance and national frameworks for safeguarding children and adults at risk
· Knowledge of the role and responsibilities of local key safeguarding agencies, including social services, MASH and the police
· Knowledge of local and national agencies that provide support for children, adults and their families
· Knowledge of local social services processes for the assessment and referral of safeguarding concerns
· Exceptional leadership skills.
· Ability to build effective working relationships with all stakeholders in particular parents
· Ability to advise and support individuals at all levels within an organisation
· Ability to act with integrity and respect when working with others
· Good administration and data analysis skills
· Excellent communication skills
· Strong influencing skills
Job Specifics
Start Date: 1st September 2025
Salary: AS 29-35 FTE £38,926-£45,011 (dependent on experience) Actual pro rata salary £35,992-£41,618
Contract: Permanent, full-time, Term-time + INSET days plus 2 weeks, 41 weeks per year, 37.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday 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.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £38,926.00-£45,011.00 per year
Benefits:
- On-site parking
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
