Safeguarding Officer

Lift Bexleyheath; Erith; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Lift Bexleyheath is seeking a dedicated Safeguarding Officer to help protect and support students. Reporting to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will manage live concerns, provide pastoral guidance, and coordinate with external agencies to ensure timely, appropriate responses.

You will maintain robust safeguarding records, monitor staff safeguarding training compliance, and support a culture of safety, equality and high standards across the academy community.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and safeguarding referrals.
• Strong knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and restorative practices.
• Excellent communication, discretion and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Safeguarding & Pastoral Support: implement safeguarding procedures and respond to live concerns.
• Record Management: maintain up-to-date child protection records and monitor safeguarding training compliance.
• Stakeholder & Multi-Agency Collaboration: engage with parents/carers and collaborate with local authority children’s social care, police and health services.
• Staff Training & Guidance: ensure all academy staff and volunteers understand child protection policies and are supported when safeguarding concerns arise.

Skills

Experience with children and referrals

KCSIE knowledge

Restorative practice

Staff advisory on safeguarding

Job description

About the role

The Safeguarding Officer plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, welfare, and protection of all students at Lift Bexleyheath. Reporting to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), you will manage live concerns, deliver pastoral support, collaborate with external agencies, and maintain robust record-keeping.

Key responsibilities

• Safeguarding & Pastoral Support: Implement safeguarding procedures, respond to daily live concerns, design targeted student interventions, and offer pastoral care and guidance to vulnerable students, including those with SEND or EHCPs.
• Record Management: Maintain precise, up-to-date child protection records on safeguarding systems and monitor staff compliance with annual safeguarding training.
• Stakeholder & Multi-Agency Collaboration: Build supportive relationships with parents/carers and work alongside local authority children's social care, police, and health services, including attending inter-agency case meetings.
• Staff Training & Guidance: Ensure all academy staff and volunteers understand child protection policies, supporting them whenever safeguarding concerns are raised

What we're looking for

• Experience: Experience working with children and interacting with external agencies to make formal referrals.
• Knowledge & Skills: Strong understanding of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), restorative practice techniques, and the ability to advise staff on safeguarding strategies.
• Key Attributes: Exceptional communication skills, proactive problem-solving under pressure, empathy, high discretion/confidentiality, and a clear commitment to child welfare and equality.

You are someone who has:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to form strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, students, parents and external agencies.
• Capability to anticipate issues and act on them in a proactive manner.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting demands upon time.

About Lift Bexleyheath:

Lift Bexleyheath is a welcoming and ambitious secondary school with a strong community ethos and a clear focus on continuous improvement.

Located just 30 minutes from central London, we're investing in our future, including a brand-new sixth form centre and improved learning environments. You'll be joining a committed team with high expectations and a shared determination to provide an excellent education for every student.

Who is Lift Schools?

We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 62 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

How we support you

We want you to feel supported, valued and able to grow throughout your career with Lift Schools. From high-quality professional development and career progression to wellbeing support and opportunities to connect and collaborate across our network, we invest in you so you can do your best work.