Designated Safeguarding Lead (Dsl) - Lambeth

Marchant Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is sought for a London Borough of Lambeth school. This leadership role owns day-to-day safeguarding, child protection, and pastoral welfare across the school community.

The DSL will lead a pastoral team, promote a safeguarding culture, and act as the primary contact for external agencies and local authorities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a DSL/Deputy DSL in UK education.
• Strong knowledge of KCSIE and local safeguarding procedures.
• Experience delivering safeguarding training and inductions.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding and manage disclosures and referrals per statutory guidance.
• Collaborate with Lambeth Children's Services, social care, police, and health professionals.

Skills

Safeguarding leadership

Staff training

Multi-agency liaison

Crisis management

Communication skills

Education

Enhanced DBS Check

Leadership qualification

Tools

CPOMS

Job description

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Vacancy - Lambeth

Position: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Location: London Borough of Lambeth, South London

Contract Type: Full-Time / Permanent or Long-Term

Start Date: Immediate / As Soon As Possible

About the Role

We are working closely with an inclusive, forward-thinking school in the London Borough of Lambeth to appoint a dedicated and experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). This is a vital leadership position responsible for taking day-to-day ownership of all child protection, safeguarding, and pastoral welfare matters across the school community.

The successful candidate will lead a supportive pastoral team, champion a robust safeguarding culture, and act as the primary point of contact for external agencies, local authorities, and concerned staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Child Protection Leadership: Take lead responsibility for managing all safeguarding concerns, disclosures, and referrals in strict accordance with statutory guidance (KCSIE).

• Multi-Agency Liaison: Work collaboratively with Lambeth Children's Services, social care, the police, and health professionals to secure the best outcomes for vulnerable students.

• Staff Training & Guidance: Deliver comprehensive safeguarding training and inductions for all teaching, support, and volunteer staff, ensuring high levels of vigilance.

• Case Management: Maintain meticulous, highly confidential child protection records and chronology logs using the school's designated digital safeguarding systems (e.g., CPOMS).

• Pastoral Strategy: Advise senior leadership on evolving safeguarding trends, policy updates, and whole-school early intervention strategies.

Ideal Candidate Specification

• Experience: Proven, substantial experience operating as a DSL or Deputy DSL within a UK primary, secondary, or alternative education setting.

• Knowledge: Expert, up-to-date knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Working Together to Safeguard Children, and local Lambeth safeguarding procedures.

• Skills: Exceptional crisis-management, communication, and decision-making skills, with the emotional resilience and empathy required to handle complex pastoral cases.

• Vetting: An enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or willingness to process a new one).