Designated Safeguarding Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Training

Full school holidays

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing tools and advice

Medical cover

Beautiful working environments

£1,000 recommend-a-friend bonus

Contributory pension matched up to 5%

Job summary

The Witherslack Group is seeking a Designated Safeguarding Lead in Lancashire. You will lead safeguarding within the school, liaise with statutory and non-statutory agencies, and provide expert advice on wellbeing and child protection.

You will join a leadership team and collaborate with colleagues across locations to drive excellence in safeguarding. Applicants should have a minimum of 3 years in a Designated Safeguarding Lead role, a strong CPD portfolio, and excellent interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience in a Designated Safeguarding Lead role
• Comprehensive CPD portfolio related to safeguarding and child protection
• Outstanding interpersonal and problem-resolution skills
• Full UK driving licence

Job description

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Lancashire

GB

PR3 5JJ

Any

£36,581 - £46,579 + excellent benefits

Important: You must provide your full employment history, both paid and unpaid, from the age of 16 onwards as part of your application, including roles that may not be relevant to the position.

Please note that applications for this role will close on 5th of November, with interviews scheduled for Monday 16th November.

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, liaising daily with statutory and non-statutory agencies, parents/carers, and staff on matters of wellbeing, child protection, and safeguarding. You will be a great source of support, advice, and expertise in the team.

One of the best environments in SEND

Opening in September 2026, Bowersgate School is a purpose-built, brand new, state-of-the-art school. The school will cater for up to 72 pupils aged 6-16 with a wide range of needs including autism and social, emotional, and mental health needs. This new exciting opportunity serves Wythenshawe and the wider communities, and 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

• 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
• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
• Medical cover: claim back the cost of things like opticians or dentist appointments and enjoy high-street discounts
• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities
• 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. Our workforce reflects that diversity, so 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 skillsA genuinely empathetic approach is also essential
• Full UK driving licence

Interested in joining us?

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.

Special Education / Careers in Care / Careers in Special Education / Working with Children / SEMH / SEN / ASD