Education Safeguarding Partner

Devon County Council; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A local education authority in Devon is seeking an experienced Education Safeguarding Partner to champion the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. This role involves providing expert advice and guidance on safeguarding practices, training staff, and liaising with multiple agencies to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Candidates should have strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and experience in education or children’s services. A commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
• Experience working with a focus on safeguarding in education or children's services.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and guidance on safeguarding and child protection.
• Support Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) with complex cases.
• Deliver safeguarding training and workshops for staff and governors.
• Monitor and review safeguarding policies and procedures.

Skills

Knowledge of safeguarding legislation

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Experience in education or children's services

Education

Relevant qualification in education, social work, or safeguarding

Job description

We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic and experienced Education Safeguarding Partner to join our team, to champion the safety and wellbeing of children and young people across Devon.

This is a pivotal role working collaboratively with schools, Children’s Services, Devon County Council and partner agencies to ensure robust safeguarding practices are embedded and our children and young people feel safe in their educational settings and Learning communities.

Brief introduction to the role

This role is central to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people across educational settings, children not in school and electively home educated children. You will provide expert advice, guidance, and training to schools and partners, supporting them to meet statutory safeguarding requirements and embed best practice.

Key responsibilities

• Expert Advice and Support / Training and Development / Monitoring and Evaluation / Complaints / Reporting / Compliance.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on safeguarding and child protection to schools and education providers.
• Support Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) with complex cases and compliance with statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Deliver safeguarding training and workshops for staff and governors.
• Monitor and review safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure best practice.
• Act as a liaison between education settings and multi‑agency partners.

Personal qualities / Who you are looking for

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
• Experience working in Education or Children’s Services with a safeguarding focus.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, able to build trust and influence at all levels.
• Uses a relational approach in all areas of the role.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Why join the team

We are a developing team, supporting the education of our most valued Devon Children. We are a relational team, working closely with our colleagues across Children’s Services, Health and Education. We use the four cornerstones approach of: Welcome & Care, Value & Include, Communicate & work in Partnership. If you are passionate about protecting our children and have strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, we’d love to hear from you.

Additional relevant information

Relevant qualification in education, social work, or safeguarding.
Ability to travel across Devon – may be locality based: North/Mid or South/West.