Designated Safeguarding Lead and Pastoral Support

OFG Education; Trimdon Grange; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with options toincrease

Your Wellbeing Matters

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Job summary

OFG Education is recruiting for a Designated Safeguarding Lead & Pastoral Support at Trimdon Hill School in County Durham. The role focuses on safeguarding, attendance and pastoral support, coordinating with families, staff and external agencies to ensure students' wellbeing.

The post starts January 2027. This permanent position is term-time only and requires a driving licence; salary is £28,000 per year. UK applicants only and no sponsorship.

Qualifications

• Holds DSL training or willing to undertake immediately.
• Minimum Level 3 qualification.
• GCSE English and Maths Grade 4/C or above.
• Experience with vulnerable children and families.
• Knowledge of safeguarding in education.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding across the school in line with KCSIE.
• Manage safeguarding concerns, referrals and multi-agency work.
• Build positive relationships with students, parents and carers.
• Lead Early Help interventions and family support.
• Drive attendance improvement strategies.
• Support EHCP implementation and reviews.
• Collaborate with social care, health, SEND and other services.
• Provide pastoral support to students with social/emotional/mental health needs.
• Deliver safeguarding guidance and training to colleagues.
• Monitor safeguarding, attendance and pastoral provision across the school.

Skills

DSL training

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Experience with vulnerable children

Attendance improvement

Safeguarding procedures

Building relationships with families

Driving licence

Education

Level 3 qualification

GCSE English and Maths (4/C or above)

Tools

None

Job description

At OFG Education we allow for greater work life balance and extra time to do the things you love outside work!

Job Title: Designated Safeguarding Lead and Pastoral Support
Location: Trimdon Hill School, Durham, TS29 6EY
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday – Friday
Salary: £28,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: January 2027
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you passionate about making a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people? Do you have the experience, compassion and determination to help students feel safe, supported and ready to thrive?

At Trimdon Hill School, we're looking for a dedicated Designated Safeguarding Lead & Pastoral Support professional to play a pivotal role in safeguarding students, strengthening family partnerships and removing barriers to learning, attendance and wellbeing.

This is a highly rewarding role where you'll work at the heart of the school community, ensuring every student receives the right support at the right time.

As our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will lead all aspects of safeguarding, attendance and pastoral support across the school. Working closely with students, families, staff and external agencies, you'll champion student welfare, coordinate effective interventions and help create an environment where every young person feels valued, included and empowered to succeed.

What you will be doing

• Leading safeguarding across the school in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
• Managing safeguarding concerns, referrals, multi-agency working and child protection processes
• Building positive, supportive relationships with students, parents and carers
• Leading Early Help interventions and coordinating support for families
• Driving attendance improvement strategies and supporting students who face barriers to engagement
• Supporting EHCP implementation, reviews and family involvement
• Working collaboratively with social care, health, SEND and other professional services
• Providing pastoral support to students experiencing social, emotional or mental health challenges
• Delivering safeguarding guidance and training to colleagues
• Monitoring the effectiveness of safeguarding, attendance and pastoral provision across the school

Who We're Looking For

• Holds DSL training or is willing to undertake this immediately upon appointment
• Minimum Level 3 qualification & GCSE English and Mathematics Grade 4/C or above.
• Experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families
• Understands safeguarding and child protection procedures within education
• Can build trusting, positive relationships with families and external professionals
• Has experience of multi-agency working and attendance improvement initiatives
• Shares our commitment to delivering the very best outcomes for every student
• Driving licence required

About Us

At OFG Education, we believe every student deserves an education designed around who they are. Through high expectations, deep expertise and truly personalised education, we help students realise their potential and prepare for successful futures.

Building on more than 20 years of experience, we are bringing our approach to more students and communities around the world. Across the UK, Iberia and the Gulf, our schools combine the strength, expertise and high standards of an international education group with the individuality of each school and the communities they serve.

Whatever your role, joining OFG Education means contributing to our shared ambition: empowering every student to success through truly personalised education.

About Our School

Trimdon Hill School is a specialist school in Trimdon Grange, County Durham, supporting students aged 4–11 with autism and associated complex needs. Opened in June 2025, we provide a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment where every child is supported to SHINE. Our personalised, autism-informed curriculum develops communication, social interaction, and curiosity through rich, inclusive learning.

Working closely with families and clinical professionals, we support each child’s progress, independence, and readiness for the next stage of education.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference.We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, OFG Education does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales