Designated Safeguarding Lead

Hollingworth Learning Trust; Rochdale; Remote; GBP 46,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted gym membership

Health care cash plan

Confidential staff counselling

Discretionary leave

Job summary

Hollingworth Academy, part of Hollingworth Learning Trust, is seeking an experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead to take strategic responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the school. Join the Leadership Team to lead safeguarding and support colleagues in referrals and records management.

As a permanent post, you will work term time plus four weeks, 36.25 hours per week, with a salary in line with NJC Scale Points 36–40 (pro rata £46,407–£50,514).

Qualifications

• Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead or equivalent.
• Experience leading safeguarding teams and liaising with external agencies.
• Strong record-keeping and referral management.

Responsibilities

• Take strategic responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the academy.
• Lead the safeguarding team and support colleagues across the school.
• Manage referrals and maintain accurate safeguarding records.
• Collaborate with pupils, families and external agencies to ensure safe learning.
• Work with the Leadership Team to promote a safe, thriving environment.

Skills

Safeguarding leadership

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Referral management

Job description

Salary: NJC Scale Points 36 – 40 FTE for which the full-time salary is £48,738 - £53,051 pro rata (actual salary £46,407 - £50,514)

Closing date for applications: 5 October 2026, 9.00am

Interview Date: 12 October 2026

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Permanent – Term Time Only plus 4 weeks – 36.25 Hours per week

We are seeking an experienced and committed Designated Safeguarding Lead to take strategic responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across Hollingworth Academy. Working as part of the Leadership Team, you will lead the safeguarding team, support and advise colleagues, manage referrals, maintain accurate records and work closely with pupils, families and external agencies to ensure every child feels safe, supported and able to thrive.

About Hollingworth Academy…

Hollingworth Academy is part of the Hollingworth Learning Trust. The Trust’s core purpose is to make a positive difference to the lives of its children. Its role, as a sponsor of the academy, is to provide the support, challenge, expertise, and resources necessary to significantly improve the provision for education.

In 2023, Hollingworth Academy was awarded the World Class Schools Quality Mark; the only school in Greater Manchester and Lancashire out of 463 to achieve this world class status.

Here at Hollingworth Academy, we believe that everyone excels every day. This ethos is built on our core values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY and RESILIENCE and these values are at the heart of everything we do. We want considerate and confident young adults who are respected within their community, capable of successfully entering further education, employment, and training. We will always have the highest expectations for all of our pupils, as their success is our success. We are extremely proud of our pupil and their achievements. Indeed, visitors frequently comment that they are confident, respectful, thoughtful, and articulate young people.

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit us during the school day to experience our ‘high expectations’ first‑hand.

Why Choose Hollingworth Academy?

• Voted ‘Most Inspirational School in Rochdale’ in 2024, and the only school in Greater Manchester and Lancashire with ‘World Class Schools’ status.
• Conveniently located just off the M62, we offer an easy commute from Stockport, Central Manchester, Leeds, Blackburn, Warrington, and Burnley – all within 40 minutes or less.
• We value our staff and provide time off for important family events, such as school nativity plays and first days at school etc.
• Our department prides itself on its staff retention and staff development. External positions in this department are rare – this is your chance to join a truly outstanding team.
• Free access to our onsite gym.
• Free Simply Health membership that includes money off prescriptions, dental check-ups, physiotherapy, opticians, and GP appointments.
• 20 additional PPA hours per year beyond government guidelines.
• Opportunity for free lunches available.
• Work in an environment where Ofsted say that our pupils are ‘proud to attend this school’ and ‘can learn in lessons without disruption’. With a ‘behaviour system which allows [leaders] to respond to any uncommon instances of pupils’ poor behaviour rapidly’.
• Opportunity to work in an environment where Ofsted say that our pupils are ‘proud to attend this school’ and ‘can learn in lessons without disruption’. With a ‘behaviour system which allows [leaders] to respond to any uncommon instances of pupils’ poor behaviour rapidly’.

The Role…

Contract Information:

Permanent. Full‑time hours are 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, Term Time Only (plus 4 weeks) 8am – 3.45pm

As soon as possible

NJC Scale Points 36 – 40 FTE for which the full‑time salary is £48,738 - £53,051 pro rata (actual salary £46,407 - £50,514)

Other Benefits:

• discounted gym membership
• health care cash plan
• confidential staff counselling
• discretionary leave and family friendly working practices and more!

The Pension provider is the Local Government Pension Scheme, GMPF. The employer contributions are generous and help to provide for you and your family with security for your future.

Closing Date:

9.00am on Monday 5 th October 2026

Interview Date:

Monday 12 th October 2026

Hollingworth Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification and will be required to apply for an enhanced DBS disclosure and all other pre‑employment checks outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education. All appointments are subject to Safer Recruitment practices.

Hollingworth Academy operates a Smoke Free Policy for all its employees and applies to any building and associated grounds within the immediate vicinity of the building which is wholly owned, leased, or operated and occupied by the academy.

We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.