Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Cheadle Hulme School; Cheadle Hulme; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant independent school dedicated to exceptional pastoral care and safeguarding. As a Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the welfare culture at CHS, ensuring the best interests of every child are met. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a supportive community, where your expertise will help navigate the complexities of safeguarding in today's educational landscape. With a strong commitment to fairness and inclusion, this role promises to be both rewarding and impactful.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to safeguarding and child protection.
• Experience in educational or multi-agency safeguarding contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding across the school and ensure compliance.
• Act as the key contact for external agencies.

Skills

Safeguarding and child protection

Communication skills

Decision-making skills

Emotional resilience

Relationship-building

Job description

Lead and shape safeguarding at a school that cares deeply about every child

Cheadle Hulme School (CHS) is proud of its long-standing reputation for exceptional pastoral care, but we are never complacent. As part of an exciting remodelling of our Pupil Welfare Team, we are recruiting for two new and pivotal safeguarding roles to ensure we continue to meet the complex needs of today’s young people. These are exceptional opportunities to join a school that is both traditional in its values and progressive in its approach and to help shape the future of welfare at CHS.

We are seeking a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who will play a strategic and operational role in leading safeguarding across the whole school, acting as the key contact for external agencies and ensuring compliance with statutory frameworks, while shaping CHS’s culture of safeguarding excellence.

We are also seeking to appoint a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO).

Who We’re Looking For

• A strong and instinctive commitment to safeguarding and child protection, with an unwavering focus on the best interests of the child
• Substantial experience supporting children, young people and families in an educational, social care or multi-agency safeguarding context
• Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and relevant legislation
• Outstanding professional judgement and decision-making skills, particularly in high-pressure or sensitive situations
• Emotional resilience and integrity, with the ability to handle complex caseloads and maintain clear boundaries
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work with pupils, parents, staff and external agencies
• A proactive, reflective and solution-focused mindset

Why CHS?

CHS is a vibrant independent school with a warm community, forward-thinking leadership, and a strong commitment to pastoral care in a complex modern world.

Apply now

Applications will close at 8am on 22nd May 2025. Join a team that’s making a real difference.

For informal enquiries, contact [e-mail].

This role is working term time plus 2 weeks.

Cheadle Hulme School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and online checks in line with the latest guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices.

At CHS, we actively celebrate and promote Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement (FREDIE). We believe a diverse and inclusive team enriches our School and improves outcomes for all. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities.