Designated Safeguarding Lead

Autism East Midlands; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Autism East Midlands is seeking a proactive Designated Safeguarding Lead for Sutherland House School in the heart of Nottingham. You will lead safeguarding strategy, oversee multi-agency safeguarding processes, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements while embedding a child-centred approach across the school.

You will join the Senior Leadership Team, manage referrals, and drive continuous improvement in safeguarding practices to protect and support autistic children and young people

Qualifications

• Previous experience of safeguarding within education, social care or a related field is essential.
• Experience of working with autistic children and young people or within an additional needs environment is desirable, although full training and support will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for safeguarding across Sutherland House School, ensuring statutory requirements are met and safeguarding practice remains child-centred.
• Lead weekly safeguarding meetings, offer guidance to staff, and coordinate multi-agency safeguarding processes and referrals.
• Monitor safeguarding systems, evaluate practice, and contribute to the ongoing development of safeguarding culture with senior leaders and governing bodies.

Job description

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Salary: Leadership Pay Scale 2-5 ( 53,856- 56,298)

Are you committed and passionate about safeguarding and ensuring the very best outcomes for children and young people?

We are looking for a dedicated and highly motivated Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our established Senior Leadership Team.

This is a real opportunity to make a difference for the children and young people that we teach. This is a strategic role which combines safeguarding leadership with operational oversight, ensuring that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do.

Sutherland House School is a non-maintained special school for autistic children and young people aged 3-19. The school is in the heart of the Creative Quarter in the City Centre, located near the Sneinton Avenues market area.

At Sutherland House School, Positive Behaviour Support and Person-Centred approaches are of paramount importance, and you will be able to contribute to the continued strategic and operational development of these. We offer small class groups, high staffing ratios and excellent opportunities for training and continued professional development.

As a member of the School Leadership Team, you will play a critical role in promoting, developing and embedding a culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. You will provide strategic direction for safeguarding across the school whilst ensuring that statutory requirements are consistently met and safeguarding practice remains effective, robust and child-centred.

You will be the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead and the first point of contact for staff requiring advice and support regarding safeguarding concerns. You will oversee safeguarding systems and processes, manage referrals, coordinate multi-agency working and ensure that vulnerable pupils receive appropriate support and protection.

You will lead weekly safeguarding meetings, provide guidance and challenge to colleagues, and work closely with leaders across the school to continuously improve safeguarding practice. You will attend and contribute to a range of professional meetings, including Child Protection Conferences, Child in Need meetings, Core Group meetings and other multi-agency safeguarding forums.

Working alongside the Quality Assurance Officer, you will ensure safeguarding systems are fully compliant with statutory guidance and organisational expectations. You will monitor safeguarding trends, evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding practice and contribute to the strategic development of safeguarding across the school.

You will have the opportunity to work in collaboration with the School Governing Body, Board of Trustees and Autism East Midlands' Senior Management Team, providing assurance regarding the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements and contributing to the continued development of a strong safeguarding culture.

The successful candidate will be an organised, resilient and reflective leader with excellent interpersonal skills, sound professional judgement and a passion for keeping children and young people safe.

Previous experience of safeguarding within education, social care or a related field is essential. Experience of working with autistic children and young people or within an additional needs environment is desirable, although full training and support will be provided.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is committed to championing safeguarding, supporting colleagues and ensuring that every child and young person at Sutherland House School is safe, supported and able to thrive.