Safeguarding Manager - Operational DSL

St Brendan's Sixth Form College; West of England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

St Brendan's Sixth Form College is seeking a Safeguarding Manager (Operational Designated Safeguarding Lead) to oversee safeguarding, child protection and student wellbeing across the College. You will lead safeguarding referrals, complex cases and multi-agency working, providing expert guidance and facilitating training while working with senior leaders to uphold the highest safeguarding standards.

The role requires significant DSL experience and a strong commitment to safeguarding best

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in safeguarding, child protection or student support.
• Significant knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education / Working Together to Safeguard Children.
• Experience in managing complex safeguarding cases and multi-agency working.
• Experience leading teams and developing staff.
• Ability to work with external agencies and represent the College at meetings.
• Excellent communication, influencing and decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyse safeguarding data to drive improvements.
• Committed to high safeguarding standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day safeguarding and child protection provision for the College.
• Manage safeguarding referrals, risk assessments and multi-agency work.
• Provide expert advice on safeguarding across the College.
• Lead Safeguarding Officers and Student Wellbeing colleagues.
• Act as operational lead for Prevent and Channel referrals.
• Deliver safeguarding training and contribute to policy development.
• Monitor safeguarding trends and maintain records.
• Support strategic safeguarding reporting and continuous improvement.

Skills

Substantial safeguarding experience

Leadership experience

Communication and influencing skills

Data analysis for safeguarding trends

Education

Designated Safeguarding Lead qualification

Job description

Safeguarding Manager (Operational Designated Safeguarding Lead)

37 hours per week, Full Time, Full Year Grade J-K: £45,267 to £53,440 per annum

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate and strategic safeguarding professional to join St Brendan's Sixth Form College as our Safeguarding Manager (Operational Designated Safeguarding Lead). This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for leading operational safeguarding, child protection and student wellbeing services across the College.

About the Role

As the College's Operational Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will oversee all safeguarding and child protection activity, providing expert leadership, guidance and decision-making on complex safeguarding matters. You will manage safeguarding referrals, complex cases, multi-agency working, safeguarding training, policy development and operational leadership of safeguarding services across the College. Working closely with the Assistant Principal and College Leadership Team, you will lead safeguarding and wellbeing services, support operational and strategic safeguarding priorities, and ensure the College maintains the highest standards of safeguarding practice.

About You

• Has substantial experience within safeguarding, child protection, student support or pastoral leadership.
• Holds significant knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Prevent Duty.
• Has experience of managing complex safeguarding and child protection cases.
• Has experience of leading teams and developing colleagues.
• Can confidently work with external agencies and represent the College at multi-agency meetings.
• Possesses excellent communication, influencing and decision-making skills.
• Can analyse safeguarding trends and data to drive service improvement.
• Is resilient, professional and committed to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding practice.
• Holds a Designated Safeguarding Lead qualification.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the College's day-to-day safeguarding and child protection provision.
• Manage safeguarding referrals, risk assessments and multi-agency working.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on safeguarding matters across the College.
• Lead and support Safeguarding Officers and Student Wellbeing colleagues.
• Act as operational lead for Prevent and Channel referrals.
• Deliver safeguarding training and contribute to policy development.
• Monitor safeguarding trends and ensure accurate safeguarding records are maintained.
• Support strategic safeguarding reporting and continuous improvement activity.

Why Join St Brendan's?

At St Brendan's, we are proud of our inclusive, supportive and ambitious community. We are committed to helping every student achieve their full potential and recognise the vital role safeguarding plays in enabling young people to thrive.
As part of our Safeguarding Team you will have the opportunity to shape safeguarding practice across the College, make a meaningful impact on students' lives and contribute to a culture where students feel safe, supported and valued.

Safeguarding Statement

St Brendan's Sixth Form College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and all other safer recruitment checks in line with statutory guidance.

Important Information for Applicants

• We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.
• Applications may be reviewed as they are received and interviews may take place before the closing date.
• The use of generative AI in applications is monitored. Any use of AI to support your application must be declared.
• This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory safeguarding checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education requirements.

We strive to be representative of the community we serve and know that diverse talent builds a better College and provides an enhanced experience for our students. We’re committed to building an organisation where everyone is welcome, supported and able to thrive.

Equality and diversity are fundamental to our core beliefs and values. That’s why we welcome people from all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic classes, religions, disabilities and ages in everything we do.

We are values-driven and our vision is to provide an inclusive, aspirational and academic education for all our students, so that all of them will learn, thrive and lead successful lives.

The safeguarding of all students is paramount and this approach is embedded into everything we do. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

In line with Keeping Children Safe In Education guidelines and having regard to all relevant guidance, any offer of employment will be subject to a comprehensive checking process including satisfactory references from current and previous employers, DBS Enhanced Disclosure and online searches will also be conducted for successful candidates.