Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead

Teaching Vacancies; Croydon; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Defined benefit pension scheme

Staff development 7 days per year

Job summary

Croydon College Group is seeking an exceptional Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead to provide strategic and operational oversight of safeguarding, wellbeing, Prevent and student protection across our campuses.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Student Services, you will lead the safeguarding team, drive quality assurance, manage high-risk cases and advise senior leaders, governors and external partners to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for learners.

Qualifications

• Substantial operational experience leading safeguarding within FE/HE/college settings.
• Advanced proficiency with CPOMS and safeguarding record-keeping.
• Strong knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and safeguarding legislation.

Responsibilities

• Operational and strategic safeguarding leadership across multiple campuses.
• Oversee safeguarding disclosures, risk assessments and case management.
• Lead safeguarding practice, training and audits to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with external agencies and senior stakeholders.
• Prepare safeguarding reports, trend analyses and assurance updates for governance bodies.

Skills

Safeguarding leadership

CPOMS proficiency

Statutory guidance knowledge

KCSIE knowledge

Prevent understanding

Leadership & decision-making

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

Creating Great Futures

At Croydon College Group, our staff are passionate and committed to achieving the very best outcomes for our students. We recognise that our people are our greatest asset, and through their expertise, dedication, and commitment, we deliver an outstanding student experience that positively impacts our local community. Our values of being Caring, Collaborative, Courageous and Creative underpin everything we do, ensuring we create an inclusive, supportive and ambitious environment for both students and staff.

We are seeking an exceptional safeguarding professional to join our Student Services leadership team as our Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for providing strategic and operational oversight of safeguarding, wellbeing, Prevent, and student protection across the College Group.

As the College's lead safeguarding professional, you will ensure the highest standards of safeguarding practice, compliance, and culture, while leading a dedicated safeguarding team across both campuses. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced safeguarding leader to shape and strengthen safeguarding provision within a dynamic and student-centred FE environment.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Student Services, you will act as the College's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring compliance with statutory safeguarding requirements and providing expert advice to senior leaders, governors, staff and external agencies. You will lead safeguarding strategy, oversee complex and high-risk cases, drive quality assurance and continuous improvement, and promote a culture where students feel safe, supported and empowered to thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational & System Management: Managing safeguarding records and ensuring full, effective use of our CPOMS system.
• Compliance & Best Practice: Ensuring overall team compliance with regulatory standards, covering both reactive management and proactive safeguarding initiatives.
• Case & Team Leadership: Overseeing incoming disclosures, managing risk assessments, and supporting team members in day-to-day safeguarding operations.

In addition, you will:

• Lead safeguarding, Prevent and contextual safeguarding strategy across the College Group.
• Provide expert oversight and decision-making for complex safeguarding and risk cases.
• Act as the key safeguarding adviser to senior leaders, governors and external partners.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Children's Social Care, Adult Social Care, CAMHS, Police, Prevent partners and other agencies.
• Lead safeguarding quality assurance, audits, thematic reviews and compliance activity.
• Manage and develop the safeguarding team, ensuring high standards of practice and performance.
• Lead safeguarding training, awareness and culture across the organisation.
• Prepare safeguarding reports, trend analysis and assurance updates for senior leaders and governors.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and highly credible safeguarding leader who brings extensive expertise, sound judgement, and the ability to lead with confidence in a complex educational environment.

Key Requirements:

• Substantial operational experience leading safeguarding within a FE / HE / college setting.
• Advanced proficiency with CPOMS and safeguarding record‑keeping.
• Strong knowledge of current statutory guidance and compliance requirements.

You will also demonstrate:

• Significant safeguarding leadership experience within Further Education, education, or a comparable multi-site environment.
• Experience managing complex safeguarding and high-risk cases.
• Experience leading safeguarding teams and driving improvements in practice.
• Expert knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), safeguarding legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Strong understanding of Prevent, contextual safeguarding, vulnerable adults, mental health and inclusion.
• Excellent leadership, communication, partnership-building and decision-making skills.
• The professional resilience, integrity and commitment required to safeguard and promote the welfare of learners.

What the college offers its staff

Apart from our great location, our wonderful staff and positive culture, we also offer a range of other staff benefits, including generous annual leave and defined benefit pension schemes. We also value staff development and have 7 days a year planned for staff development, including elements of team development, socialisation and staff wellbeing.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.