Child Protection Lead

Witherslack Group; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full induction and on the job training

Full school holidays

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing tools and employee support

Medical cover and discounts

Recommend a friend £1,000 bonus

Pension matched up to 5%

Job summary

Witherslack Group is seeking a Designated Safeguarding Lead for Turner Court, a purpose-built primary school recently opened in Bristol. You will join the leadership team and liaise with agencies, parents and staff to safeguard the wellbeing of pupils.

You will bring a minimum of 3 years’ DSL experience, an excellent CPD portfolio, outstanding interpersonal skills and a genuinely empathetic approach. A full UK driving licence is essential.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience in a Designated Safeguarding Lead role.
• Comprehensive portfolio of CPD related to Safeguarding and Child Protection.
• Outstanding interpersonal and problem resolution skills.
• A genuinely empathetic approach is essential.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard pupils by liaising with statutory and non-statutory agencies, parents/carers and staff.
• Advise and support the team on safeguarding matters.
• Work as part of the leadership team reporting to the Head Teacher.

Skills

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Interpersonal skills

CPD portfolio

Empathy

Full UK driving licence

Job description

£36,581 - £46,579 + Excellent Benefits

Those Huge Small Victories

For children with complex, challenging needs, the level of care and education must go above and beyond and that's what drives us here at Witherslack Group. With our high staff-to-child ratio and in-house clinical teams, we're proud to have won a reputation for excellence. Our aspirational homes, schools and ethos help us achieve the best possible outcomes. In short, we're enhancing life opportunities. Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are a huge part of making sure our children and young people's needs are fully recognised and comprehensively met.

Get out what you put in

You will work as part of the leadership team and report directly to the Head Teacher for this crucial role. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the Witherslack Group team in different locations to enable you to progress and develop your skills and knowledge.

As a Designated Safeguarding Lead you will take responsibility for safeguarding within the school, this means that on a daily basis you will be liaising with statutory and non‑statutory agencies, parents/carers and staff on matters of wellbeing, child protection and safeguarding and will be a great source of support, advice and expertise in the team.

One of the best environments in SEND

Opened in September 2026, Turner Court is a purpose built, brand new, state of the art Primary school. The school will cater for up to 50 pupils with a wide range of needs including autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. This new exciting opportunity serves Bristol and the wider communities, you are at the heart of its development. Our aim is to ensure that every pupil has an outstanding educational experience with individual pupil progress and care at the heart of what is offered.

What we do for you

We know you're going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you'll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people - plus you'll get:

• Training: A full induction and on the job training
• Holiday: You'll work hard at WG, so you'll be rewarded with full school holidays
• Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance - check out our benefits here
• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
• Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high‑street
  discounts
• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities - check out our schools here
• A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
• Contributory pension scheme - matched up to 5%

Bring your whole-self to work

Our young people and their families come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs - and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. As well as having at least 3 years' experience in a Designated Safeguarding Lead role, we will also look for:

• Comprehensive
  portfolio of CPD related to Safeguarding and Child Protection.
• Outstanding interpersonal and problem resolution skills.
• A genuinely empathetic approach is also essential
• Full UK driving licence

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.

As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference- especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we'll be there every step of the way.

By building a diverse and inclusive team, we're better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search.

We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.