Head of Safeguarding

Highgate School; Greater London; Presencial; GBP 65.000 - 90.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Highgate School is seeking a Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead to provide operational leadership of safeguarding and child protection across the Foundation, ensuring the effective implementation of safeguarding policies and practice.

The role leads a team of DSLs, coordinates DSL training, and maintains oversight of safeguarding concerns, ensuring records, actions and referrals are timely and appropriate in collaboration with staff, Governors and safeguarding partners.

Formación

• Act as Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead and provide operational safeguarding leadership.
• Oversee safeguarding induction and ongoing staff training.
• Provide guidance on safeguarding cases and maintain timely records.

Responsabilidades

• Lead a team of DSLs across the Foundation and chair DSL meetings.
• Coordinate safeguarding training and professional development for all staff.
• Maintain oversight of safeguarding concerns and ensure timely referrals.
• Liaise with local authorities, health professionals, and police on safeguarding matters.
• Ensure safe recruitment practices and robust safeguarding records and procedures.

Conocimientos

Safeguarding leadership

Child protection

Team management

Policy compliance

Training & development

Educación

Relevant safeguarding qualification

Herramientas

CPOMS

Descripción del empleo

To act as the School’s Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead, providing operational leadership of safeguarding and child protection across the Foundation and ensuring the effective implementation of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice.

Operations And Training

• To manage and support the team of DSLs across the Foundation, chairing regular DSL meetings, providing professional guidance on safeguarding cases and coordinating DSL training;
• To oversee and direct effective Safeguarding induction and continual professional development training for all staff;
• To maintain oversight of all safeguarding concerns, providing advice, challenge and support to DSLs in managing cases and ensuring that safeguarding records, actions and referrals are timely and appropriate.

Communication

• To maintain effective relationships with safeguarding partners, including local authorities, social care teams, health professionals and police;
• To support the Deputy Head (Pastoral) in preparing safeguarding reports, updates and papers for Governors and senior leaders;
• To ensure pupils have opportunities to express their views on safeguarding and wellbeing matters;
• To maintain effective communication with parents regarding safeguarding concerns, procedures and sources of support.

Policies and Compliance:

• To ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children, Keeping Children Safe in Education, PREVENT requirements and local safeguarding procedures;
• To work with the Deputy Head (Pastoral) to maintain and review safeguarding policies and ensure the School remains inspection-ready;
• To work closely with HR to ensure safer recruitment procedures, records and training are robust and compliant;
• To ensure safeguarding records are accurate, secure and maintained appropriately, including through the effective use of safeguarding systems such as CPOMS;
• To support the work of the Head of Pupil Attendance and the Deputy Head Pastoral (who is also the School’s Senior Attendance Champion) overseeing attendance, pupils missing from education and the transfer of safeguarding information for pupils joining or leaving the School.

These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide and are not exhaustive. The Head of Safeguarding will be expected to undertake any reasonable duties consistent with the nature and level of the role as directed by the Deputy Head (Pastoral).