Lead Safeguarding Officer

Manchester Enterprise Academy; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High quality CPD for all roles

Bupa Level 1 Health Plan

Generous Pension Contribution

Holidays – 26 days + bank holidays, up

Cyclescheme

Employee Assistance Programmes

Credit Union

Flexible working options

Mental Health First Aid

Blue Light Card

bYond cashback card

Job summary

Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA) is seeking a Lead Safeguarding Officer to lead the school’s safeguarding provision and team. You will ensure statutory procedures are implemented and oversee Looked After Children and vulnerable students, coordinating multi‑agency responses and safeguarding reporting.

The role is fixed as permanent, full-time (35 hours/week, term-time plus INSET days and two weeks) with a starting salary of £34,882 and a full-time equivalent of £38,510.

Qualifications

• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills with a relevant qualification or training evidence.
• Experience and understanding of safeguarding legislation, policy and guidance (Children's Acts, Safeguarding, CAF).
• Experience working with multi-agency colleagues on sensitive matters.
• Ability to work independently and manage a heavy caseload with a methodical approach and deadlines.
• Commitment to professional standards including equality, diversity and child protection.

Responsibilities

• Lead monitoring and evaluation of children at risk; coordinate referrals to social services when needed.
• Advise and support staff during child protection disclosures and work with pastoral teams.
• Ensure safeguarding processes align with statutory/local procedures across the school.
• Liaise with parents, staff, and agencies following disclosures or concerns.
• Coordinate Looked After Children support and manage Child Protection Plans.

Skills

Numeracy

Literacy

Safeguarding knowledge

Multi-agency liaison

Independent working

Professional standards

Communication skills

Education

Relevant safeguarding qualification

Job description

We currently have an exciting opportunity for Lead Safeguarding Officer within our team at Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA).

This is a Grade 7, permanent full-time role working 35 hours per week, term time only plus 5 INSET days + 2 weeks. The starting salary is £34.882 and the full time equivalent is £38,510. This role is expected to start in January 2027.

We’re looking for:

We're looking for an exceptional individual who can lead our Safeguarding team within school. The successful candidate will lead our highly effective safeguarding provision within school, promoting the well-being of students across the school and ensuring our most vulnerable students and supported effectively.

Main purpose of the job:

You will lead the development and delivery of the schools safeguarding provision ensuring statutory and local authority procedures are effectively implemented across the school to ensure the safety and well-being of all students alongside managing the safeguarding team.

Key Responsibilities:

• To take a lead role in managing the monitoring and evaluation of children at risk from harm. To ensure information is shared with multi agencies and or a referral is made to social services for a child in need of protection
• To advise and support all staff in the event of a child protection disclosure. To work closely with the pastoral team in identifying, monitoring and supporting a child at risk and looked after children, to monitor their academic progress, emotional and social behaviour
• To ensure strategic processes are compiled with in order to overcome barriers to learning for vulnerable and looked after children
• Liaise with parents/carers and staff in the event of a disclosure or a raised child protection concern following the Common Assessment Framework
• To take a lead role in coordinating the provision of support in school for Looked After Children, vulnerable students and children at risk of harm/in need of child protection
• To take a lead role in managing and monitoring the caseloads of children placed on a Child Protection Plan
• To take the lead in ensuing Personal Education Plans for Looked After Children are completed within the agreed timescale
• To convene, lead and represent the school at Child Protection meetings and Looked After Children meetings within agreed timescales
• To develop, implement and teach the Penn Resilience programme in school
• To ensure information and data is reviewed, updated and compiled to produce analysis and reports on Looked After Children, vulnerable students, children at risk and/or on a child protection plan as required

What you will bring:

• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills and a relevant qualification / evidence of training skills.
• Experience knowledge and understanding of current relevant legislation, policy and guidance relating to Child Protection, Safeguarding, Common Assessment Framework, Children's Acts etc.
• Experience working openly and collaboratively with multi-agency colleagues regarding highly sensitive and confidential situations
• Ability to work independently, manage a range of tasks with a methodical approach to large workloads to meet deadlines and effectively manage a complex caseload
• Demonstrate a commitment to appropriate professional standards, including core policies relating to equality and diversity and child protection
• Resilience and persistence with the ability to deal with difficult situations and/or individuals in a calm, fair but effective manner
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships that generate confidence and respect with a variety of individuals - from students and parents to colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Effective and persuasive communicator both verbally and in writing, with the ability to produce accurate, good quality letters, reports and documentation for governors the Local Authority and other agencies

All school staff are expected to share Prospere Learning Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

• High quality CPD for all roles
• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses
• Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and 15% for support staff
• Good holidays – teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document; non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
• Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
• Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
• Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
• Flexible working options - we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
• Mental Health First Aid in every school
• Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
• bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Visit our website to learn more about our Trust: prospere.org.uk

Manchester Enterprise Academy

MEA is a vibrant secondary academy in Wythenshawe, South Manchester, serving 1200 students. Our campus features modern facilities, including Theatre, Art, Fashion, Dance studios, new Science labs, and a £1 million multi-sport facility with a 3G pitch. We also offer a cafe, dining facilities, Food Technology rooms, and updated ICT, Business, and Language classrooms. Our vision, “A Fantastic Future for All Our Students,” focuses on achieving top academic results through the MEA Way: Safe, Respectful, Ready and Kind.

'Staff have high expectations for all pupils.'

‘Pupils from all backgrounds are well supported to gain the resilience and knowledge that they need for a positive future.’

Visit our website to learn more about our school community: https://www.manchesterenterpriseacademy.org.uk/

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Equality Statement

Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.