Head of Safeguarding

Learn Academies Trust; Wigston; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Free on-site parking

Staff wellbeing services

Professional development opportunities

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Learn Academies Trust is seeking an experienced safeguarding professional to provide Trust-wide strategic leadership, oversight and assurance across safeguarding and child protection.

You will work with academy DSLs, headteachers and the Executive Team to drive high-quality safeguarding practice and ensure the Trust meets its statutory duties, including DBS checks and safeguarding audits across all academies.

Qualifications

• Relevant safeguarding or leadership qualification.
• Evidence of substantial safeguarding training and ongoing professional development.
• Strong knowledge of statutory safeguarding requirements and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Significant safeguarding experience in education or child-focused settings.

Responsibilities

• Act as the strategic safeguarding lead across the Trust, advising DSLs and executive leaders.
• Lead development and review of safeguarding policies and practice across the Trust.
• Monitor compliance with statutory safeguarding requirements and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Provide safeguarding assurance reports to Executives and Trustees.
• Undertake safeguarding audits, reviews and assurance visits across academies.
• Lead DSL networks and safeguarding forums to share best practice.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy development

Audit/assurance

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Safeguarding qualification

Continuous professional development

Education sector experience

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and committed safeguarding professional to provide Trust-wide strategic leadership, oversight and assurance for safeguarding and child protection across Learn Academies Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape safeguarding practice across a growing multi-academy trust, working alongside our academy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), Headteachers and Executive Team to support consistently high-quality safeguarding practice and provide assurance that the Trust is meeting its statutory responsibilities.

Roles and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Act as the Trust’s strategic safeguarding lead, providing advice and guidance to Headteachers, DSLs and Executive Leaders.
• Lead the review and development of Trust-wide safeguarding and child protection policies, procedures and practice.
• Monitor compliance with statutory safeguarding requirements and guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Provide safeguarding assurance reports to Executive Leaders and Trustees, including the Audit & Risk Committee.
• Undertake safeguarding audits, reviews and assurance visits across our academies.
• Lead Trust-wide DSL networks and safeguarding forums, supporting the sharing of effective practice.
• Provide advice and support to DSLs in relation to complex or high-risk safeguarding matters, while maintaining appropriate operational responsibilities at academy level.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant safeguarding and/or leadership qualification.
• Evidence of substantial safeguarding training and continued professional development.
• Strong knowledge and practical understanding of statutory safeguarding requirements and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Significant experience of safeguarding practice within an education or child-focused setting.

Hours & Salary

• Contract: Part-time, permanent
• Salary: £64,774 to £71,054 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)
• Actual salary: £34,330 to £37,658
• Working arrangement: 0.53 FTE, 21 hours per week, 42 weeks per year
• Weeks worked: 38 weeks during term time plus 4 weeks during school holiday periods
• Working pattern: We can offer flexibility in how the hours are worked, to be discussed at interview.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Learn Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment process, references will normally be sought for shortlisted candidates prior to interview and an online search will be undertaken in line with our safeguarding responsibilities.

The successful candidate will be subject to the appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, identity and right-to-work checks, relevant qualification and employment history checks, online checks and medical clearance.

Why Join Us?

• A welcoming and inclusive workplace.
• Opportunities for professional growth and career development within a Trust that invests in its people.
• A supportive environment with opportunities for continued professional development.

Benefits

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Free on-site parking.
• Access to staff wellbeing services.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Cycle to Work scheme.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Learn Academies Trust is committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and creating a truly inclusive Trust where everyone can flourish and thrive.

We aim to foster a culture in which everyone is valued and respected, barriers to participation are identified and addressed, and people feel that they belong. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and objectives are integral to our work and our commitment to ensuring everyone has a seat at the table and a voice within our Trust.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.