Trust Safeguarding Lead

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Alvington; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support up to £8,000 toward

Car user allowance

LGPS membership with employer

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts and Cycle to Work schemes

Professional development

Collaborative leadership environment

Job summary

Plymouth Cast is seeking a senior safeguarding leader to set the direction for safeguarding across the Trust's schools. The post holder leads quality assurance and governance, provides expert guidance to the Director of Education, the Trust Safeguarding Officer, headteachers and designated safeguarding leads, and handles complex and sensitive safeguarding matters.

This role combines strategic oversight with hands-on child protection expertise, requires travel across the Trust, and an enhanced

Qualifications

• Experience as an experienced safeguarding professional.
• Extensive knowledge of child protection.
• Excellent professional judgement.
• Confidence to lead complex and sensitive matters.

Responsibilities

• Shape and strengthen safeguarding practice across the Trust.
• Provide strategic direction, quality assurance and governance for safeguarding.
• Give expert guidance, professional challenge and support to the Director of Education, Trust Safeguarding Officer, headteachers and designated safeguarding leads.
• Lead complex and sensitive safeguarding matters.
• Develop and support others in safeguarding practice.
• Promote a culture of vigilance, care, accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Child protection knowledge

Professional judgement

Lead complex matters

Collaborative leadership

Safeguarding ethos

Job description

This senior leadership role at Plymouth Cast, a school trust, sets the direction for safeguarding across the Trust's schools. The post holder leads quality assurance and governance, gives expert guidance and professional challenge to the Director of Education, the Trust Safeguarding Officer, headteachers and designated safeguarding leads, and takes on complex and sensitive cases. It combines strategic oversight with hands‑on child protection expertise, and the role involves travel across the Trust. An enhanced DBS check is required, and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Shape and strengthen safeguarding practice across the Trust
• Provide strategic direction, quality assurance and governance for safeguarding
• Give expert guidance, professional challenge and support to the Director of Education, Trust Safeguarding Officer, headteachers and designated safeguarding leads
• Lead complex and sensitive safeguarding matters
• Develop and support others in safeguarding practice
• Promote a culture of vigilance, care, accountability and continuous improvement

What’s required

Experience

• Experience as an experienced safeguarding professional

Skills & knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of child protection
• Excellent professional judgement
• Confidence to lead complex and sensitive matters
• Inspirational, collaborative leadership with a commitment to developing others
• Commitment to safeguarding, human dignity and educational excellence

Checks & eligibility

• Full enhanced DBS check
• Eligible to work in the UK

What’s offered

• Relocation support of up to £8,000 towards qualifying expenses
• Essential car user allowance
• Local Government Pension Scheme membership with employer contributions
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with flexibility through the academic year
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Retail and lifestyle discounts and salary sacrifice schemes, including Cycle to Work and Home Tech
• Professional development and leadership growth support
• Supportive, collaborative leadership environment