Designated Safeguarding Lead

Joneshouse Recruitment Ltd; Dudley; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Designated Safeguarding Lead to provide strategic leadership for safeguarding matters in a school setting. You will be responsible for overseeing safeguarding policies, improving attendance through strategic interventions, and managing debrief processes for students and staff. The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and experience in a similar role, ensuring a commitment to student welfare and staff accountability. Exceptional communication and leadership skills are essential for this vital role.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a DSL or senior safeguarding capacity.
• Experience in managing safeguarding incidents and working with external agencies.
• Ability to conduct safeguarding training for staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead on all safeguarding matters within the school.
• Liaise with external agencies regarding safeguarding concerns.
• Oversee and improve attendance, identifying safeguarding links.
• Conduct debrief sessions for staff and students after incidents.

Skills

Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational and leadership skills

Ability to conduct debriefs

Job description

DSL
DUDLEY - DY5

Job Purpose:

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) will take strategic leadership of all safeguarding matters across the School, ensuring robust and effective safeguarding, child protection, and welfare practices. This includes leading on attendance, behaviour analysis to identify safeguarding links, and overseeing debrief processes for staff and students following untoward events. The DSL will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), external agencies, and staff to uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and promote student welfare.

Key Responsibilities:

Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Act as the lead professional for all safeguarding and child protection matters, ensuring that policies, procedures, and practices comply with statutory guidance (e.g., Keeping Children Safe in Education, Working Together to Safeguard Children).
• Be the primary point of contact for safeguarding concerns, liaising with external agencies, including social services, police, and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records of safeguarding concerns using CPOMs, ensuring swift and appropriate action is taken.
• Provide safeguarding training, guidance, and support to all staff, ensuring a culture of vigilance and accountability.
• Lead on safeguarding audits, ensuring best practices are consistently followed and improved upon where necessary.
• Ensure that robust safer recruitment practices are in place for all staff appointments.

Attendance Leadership

• Oversee and strategically lead on attendance, identifying patterns of absence that may indicate safeguarding concerns.
• Implement effective interventions and work closely with families, external agencies, and education welfare officers to improve attendance.
• Regularly report on attendance data and trends, ensuring targeted interventions are implemented.

Behaviour Analysis and Safeguarding Links

• Review behaviour data to identify potential safeguarding concerns, ensuring a joined-up approach to student welfare.
• Work collaboratively with the behaviour and pastoral teams to implement appropriate support plans.
• Support the development of whole-school behaviour policies, ensuring safeguarding considerations are embedded.

Staff and Student Debriefs

• Conduct and oversee debrief sessions for students and staff following untoward incidents to support emotional wellbeing and ensure lessons are learned.
• Provide professional support and reflective practice sessions for staff, ensuring effective management of safeguarding-related incidents.
• Ensure that students receive appropriate follow-up interventions and support after incidents.

Strategic Leadership in Safeguarding

• Work closely with the SLT to drive safeguarding initiatives that align with the school's ethos and priorities.
• Contribute to whole-school strategic planning, ensuring safeguarding remains a key priority.
• Represent the school at multi-agency safeguarding meetings and contribute to policy development at a local and national level where appropriate.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) role or senior safeguarding capacity.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practices.
• Experience in managing safeguarding incidents, referrals, and working with external agencies.
• Proven experience in leading on attendance and behaviour analysis.
• Ability to conduct staff and student debriefs and support emotional wellbeing following incidents.
• Experience in holding staff to account and ensuring adherence to safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and external stakeholders.
• Experience in developing and delivering safeguarding training to staff.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to promoting a culture of safeguarding, accountability, and