Area Designated Safeguarding Lead (West Region)

Tops Day Nurseries; Torquay; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 60% childcare discount

Exclusive discounts & rewards

Health & wellbeing support

Generous holiday allowance

Job summary

Tops Day Nurseries is looking for an Area Designated Safeguarding Lead to oversee safeguarding across various locations, including Babbacombe and Poole. This full-time position involves supporting Local Nursery Designated Safeguarding Leads and ensuring children’s safety in compliance with legislation.

Ideal candidates will hold an NVQ3 Early Years Care & Education qualification and have previous DSL experience. The role includes providing advice, conducting quality assurance checks, and collaborating on projects.

Qualifications

• Currently in the position of a nursery DSL or previous experience work as a DSL.
• Local Authority (LA) training to be obtained and kept up to date every 2 years.
• Committed to continuous personal and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Support Nursery Designated Safeguarding Leads with safeguarding children.
• Offer advice and support to the Nursery Designated Safeguarding Lead and staff.
• Work with the Nursery Designated Safeguarding Lead to meet children's needs.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Organisational skills

Financial and commercial acumen

Ability to work under pressure

Teamwork

Education

NVQ3 Early Years Care & Education

Level 3 Safeguarding

Job description

Area Designated Safeguarding Lead (West Region) - Internal Application Only

Location: Babbacombe, Bretonside, Corfe Mullen, Devonport, Exeter, Gillingham, Mini Mariners, Musgrove, Poole, Prince Rock, Salisbury, Stonehouse, Topsie Yeovil, Trowbridge, Warminster, Wimborne, Yeovil.

Job type: Full Time Permanent

Salary: Additional 40p per hour

Contracted Hours: 30-40 contracted hours

Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe great childcare starts with great people. Since 1990, we have been creating inspiring early years environments where children thrive and colleagues are valued, supported, and given room to grow. As the UK’s largest employee‑owned childcare group, every team member has a voice, a stake in our success, and real opportunities to shape their future.

With more than 30 nurseries across the South of England, we offer rewarding opportunities for Apprentices, Nursery Practitioners, Nursery Managers, and Casual Staff who share our passion for outstanding early years care.

Proud winners of the 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025, we are proud to be a place where people love to work and children love to learn.

About The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior or Nursery Manager to join the Safeguarding Team. This is an exciting opportunity to expand your career in supporting some of the nurseries in the West area! To build excellent relationships with people and managers across the business to provide consistent and robust advice, guidance and coaching in relation to all safeguarding matters, that are in line with legislation, framework, internal policies, and organisational approach.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
• Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
• Health & wellbeing support - NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
• A generous holiday allowance - including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!

As well as many more exciting benefits! You can view the full list on our page or Careers website.

What does the role involve?

• To support Nursery Designated Safeguarding Leads with safeguarding children and keep the Company Designated Safeguarding Lead/director appropriately informed.
• To offer advice and support to the Nursery Designated Safeguarding Lead and other staff in relation to safeguarding children. Where appropriate, to liaise with the local Social Care Team, Social Services Department and other agencies regarding the Safe Guarding and welfare issues of the children within the nurseries in your area.
• To have the responsibility to work with the Nursery Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure that children’s needs are met accordingly and in line with current framework and legislation.
• Complete termly quality assurance checks on safeguarding files and followed by DSL KITs.
• To support the nursery Designated Safeguarding Lead on dealing with safeguarding cases and offering advice and support in‑line with the company policies and procedures.
• To signpost staff to appropriate resources and support where applicable.
• Work in partnership with the Tops Designated Safeguarding Lead, Regional Manager and Operations Director on annual and adhoc projects as required.

What are we looking for?

• NVQ3 Early Years Care & Education
• Level 3 Safeguarding as a minimum
• Currently in the position of a nursery DSL or previous experience work as a DSL
• Local Authority (LA) training to be obtained and kept up to date every 2 years
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Work well under pressure and excellent time management
• Committed to continuous personal and professional development
• Values and respects the views and needs of children, parents and colleagues.
• Ability to work as a reliable member of the team
• Keeping up to date with knowledge through course completion, conferences, and network meetings
• Experience of attending Child in need and child protection meetings
• Experience of attending strategy meetings
• Experience of Early Help processes
• Complete mandatory and desirable training for your role, as well as be willing to undertake CDP continuous professional development as appropriate
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures
• Financial and commercial acumen
• Excellent communication and influencing skills

At Tops Day Nurseries, we are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

Apply Now

Excited to make a difference? Take the next step in your career and join Tops Day Nurseries.