Designated Safeguarding Lead

Premier Education; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Premier Education is seeking an experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead for a secondary school in Manchester. The role is full-time and temporary, starting immediately and running until October half-term.

You will take operational responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, coordinating with senior leaders, pastoral staff and external agencies. You will respond to safeguarding concerns, maintain confidential records, and ensure compliance with statutory guidance.

Qualifications

• Substantial safeguarding or child protection experience.
• Experience working in a school/education setting.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and referral pathways.
• Strong working knowledge of current statutory safeguarding guidance.
• Ability to manage disclosures sensitively and professionally.
• Maintain detailed and confidential records.

Responsibilities

• Act as the school's lead professional for safeguarding and child protection.
• Receive, assess and respond to safeguarding concerns.
• Manage safeguarding referrals and ensure appropriate action.
• Make referrals to children's social care and other agencies.
• Liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer where appropriate.
• Work with social workers, police, healthcare professionals and other services.
• Attend child protection conferences and multi-agency meetings.
• Maintain accurate, confidential safeguarding records.
• Provide safeguarding updates and staff training as needed.
• Promote a culture of vigilance and professional curiosity.

Skills

Safeguarding experience

Agency liaison

Record keeping

Disclosures handling

Communicate effectively

Education

DSL training (desirable)

Job description

£150 - £240 per day, depending on experience | PAYE only
Full - time | Start ASAP until October half-term

Premier Education is recruiting an experienced candidate to work as the Designated Safeguarding Lead at a secondary school in Manchester.

This is a full-time, temporary position starting immediately and continuing until the October half-term. The successful candidate will take operational responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, working closely with the headteacher, senior leaders, pastoral staff and external agencies.

The daily rate will be between £150 and £240, depending on the successful applicant's experience, training and suitability for the responsibilities of the role.

About the role

As the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will provide a visible and trusted point of contact for pupils, staff, families and external professionals.

You will respond to safeguarding concerns promptly, make informed decisions about appropriate action and ensure that accurate records are maintained. You must be confident handling sensitive information and managing concerns involving children with a wide range of needs and circumstances.

Your responsibilities may include:

Acting as the school's lead professional for safeguarding and child protection

Receiving, assessing and responding to concerns raised by pupils or staff

Managing safeguarding referrals and ensuring appropriate action is taken

Making referrals to children's social care and other agencies where necessary

Liaising with the Local Authority Designated Officer when appropriate

Working with social workers, police, healthcare professionals and other services

Attending child protection conferences, strategy discussions and multi-agency meetings

Maintaining accurate, confidential and up-to‑date safeguarding records

Monitoring vulnerable pupils and coordinating appropriate support

Supporting pupils who disclose abuse, neglect or other safeguarding concerns

Advising staff on safeguarding procedures and reporting responsibilities

Delivering safeguarding updates or briefings where required

Ensuring staff follow the school's safeguarding and child protection policies

Supporting safer recruitment processes where appropriate

Promoting a strong culture of vigilance and professional curiosity

Keeping senior leaders informed of significant concerns, trends and actions

Supporting the school's responsibilities relating to online safety, attendance and Prevent

Ensuring safeguarding practice reflects current statutory guidance

About you

This role requires a calm, knowledgeable and highly organised professional who can make sound decisions in sensitive and sometimes urgent situations.

We would like to hear from candidates who:

Have substantial safeguarding or child protection experience

Have worked in a school, education, social care, youth service or similar setting

Understand safeguarding procedures and referral pathways

Have a strong working knowledge of current statutory safeguarding guidance

Can manage disclosures and concerns sensitively and professionally

Are confident working with external agencies and local authority services

Can maintain detailed and confidential records

Can prioritise a busy safeguarding caseload

Communicate effectively with pupils, parents, staff and professionals

Can provide clear guidance and appropriate challenge to colleagues

Are resilient, discreet and able to remain calm under pressure

Are available full-time for an immediate start

Can commit to the role until October half-term

Recognised Designated Safeguarding Lead training is desirable but not essential. Applications are also welcomed from experienced safeguarding professionals who have the relevant knowledge and transferable experience and are willing to complete or refresh DSL training promptly.

Previous experience in a secondary school, pastoral leadership, family support, social care or multi‑agency safeguarding would be particularly beneficial.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received due to the immediate start date.

The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, identity and right-to-work checks, and safer recruitment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, sponsorship is not available for this role.